Five Horses To Follow This Weekend - 24/07/2019

Summer Romance will look to stretch her unbeaten record to three when lining up in the Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes at Ascot this weekend - opening the King George card at 1:50.

A Group Three over six furlongs, Charlie Appleby's special grey filly made it two from two when scoring emphatically in Listed company at Newmarket almost a month ago.

Clearly a class apart, the daughter of Kingman already looks prominent in next season's Classic markets, but can further enhance her growing profile with another bloodless success in this.

Final Song could be another strong inclusion for Godolphin, having finished third in the Queen Mary and the Duchess Of Cambridge in the last five weeks.

The Ascot specialist Ripp Orf returns to his happy hunting for just the second time this season, looking to add a third career course and distance success in the Moet & Chandon International Stakes.

Another Heritage Handicap, another race with the David Barron-trained Kynren as the favourite, but Ripp Orf should not be too far away from the leading market principle, despite not showing his best efforts in 2019.

He was fifth here in the Victoria Cup won by Cape Byron back in May, and appears to bring his A game to the Berkshire venue, of which he also finished third in this contest last year.

Every chance of bettering that, and certainly looks one of the more likelier winners.

The big race of the day is the Group One King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot's mid-summer highlight over a mile-and-a-half.

Enable is a very short price to land the race for the second time for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori as she continues her road back to the Arc for a possible hat-trick bid.

However, Crystal Ocean - fresh off the back of his maiden victory in a Group One in the Prince Of Wales here last month, will ensure every sort of test for the five-year-old mare.

Testament to his trainer's philosophies, the son of Sea The Stars gave Enable 8lbs on her return last year in the September Stakes and lost by three lengths.

Crystal Ocean is definitely a better horse now but he will be coming up against a fitter Enable than last year, and has something to find on the move back up to twelve furlongs.

It looks set to be a fascinating renewal, but do not rule out Crystal Ocean out of an upset.

The drop in class certainly benefitted Corinthia Knight last time out at Pontefract, and he lines back up in similar company at Chester on Saturday in the Magners Handicap.

The four-year-old chestnut is seeking a hat-trick of wins over five furlongs which he clearly prefers, and carries top weight under the element that he is the best horse in the field.

He has been seen round the Roodee before - finishing fourth to Kimberella over six furlongs around this time last year.

On the basis of that effort, five furlongs should definitely see him go well for Archie Watson.

There is an action-packed bumper card at York this weekend, with the classy Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes held over ten furlongs.

Eleven horses remain in the mix before the final declaration stage, but one horse who should definitely take his place is Sir Michael Stoute's Regal Reality.

The four-year-old was last seen finishing a very creditable third to Enable in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown at the beginning of this month.

He showed his promise back in May when landing the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at the Esher venue in ruthless style under Ryan Moore and should go well remaining at this trip and down just one grade.

Remains lightly raced and of certain interest going forward.