June 23 / 17.35 Ascot

17.35

Good

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings)

  • Prize money: £141775
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
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King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) (Colts & Geldings)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/10 (Won)

  • Win: £2.10
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 17-2

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Impressive on debut at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) last October then soundly beaten in Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster (1m, heavy) just ten days later; subsequently left David Loughnane and reappeared with a mighty performance in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm), finishing a clear second with three of today's opponents well behind; the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(1)

21st Oct 2023

Soft

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

King Of Steel

9st 3lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: Roger Varian

raced in last, pushed along over 4f out, headway on outer from 2f out, prominent when ridden and hung right 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, led towards finish

4/1

4th

8

(5)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:20 Leopardstown

King Of Steel

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Varian

held up in midfield, headway 3f out, ridden and went fourth inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, not reach leaders

9/4

3rd

11

(3)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

King Of Steel

8st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Varian

Strapping colt who nearly won the Derby on stable/seasonal debut, leading from over 2f out until collared by Auguste Rodin near the finish (pair clear); went one better in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot where he comfortably justified favouritism while confirming he's very smart and suited by this C&D; both starts this season on good to firm but 2yo debut success came on soft; still has very low mileage, having raced just four times, and commands the utmost respect with further progress on the cards.

4/1

OUR TIP

6/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 11-38

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Won French Group 3 (1m, very soft) last September to make it 2-2 and reappeared with good third in the Dante at York (10.2f, good to firm) last month; down the field in the Prix du Jockey Club (10.5f, good) just 19 days ago and has something to prove after that, but he's Aidan O'Brien's sole runner in this race which in itself means he is entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(3)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

16:10 Ascot

Continuous

9st 9lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Won the St Leger and fifth in the Arc in 2023 but has failed to repeat the form since and is reduced to pacemaking duties these days; as in the Coronation Cup two starts ago, looks set to cut out the fractions for stablemate Jan Brueghel before eventually being swallowed up.

125/1

8th

3

(7)

18th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:20 Ascot

Continuous

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

2023 was his heyday, when winning the St Leger and fifth in the Arc; career has taken some disappointing turns since last autumn and he could be set for a front-running role at a big price today, as on his last two starts.

100/1

4

(4)

6th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Continuous

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Ended his 2023 campaign with a success in the St Leger and good effort in the Arc; modest strike-rate since and has become inconsistent too; possibly in here as pacemaker for stablemate Jan Brueghel.

66/1

Form: 1-17

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Won Nottingham maiden (8.3f, soft) and Sandown novice (1m2f, good to soft) on first two starts; beaten 11l when seventh in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) but produced an eyecatching finish effort after being well behind; he was possibly unsuited by that tricky track and could have more to offer now back on a conventional circuit; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

12th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 2

18:45 Salisbury

Artistic Star

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Without a win since May 2023 and only four ran when second in a 2m Newbury handicap in July; new cheekpieces did nothing for him when down the field at York last time and he now goes in blinkers.

6/1

2

(8)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Artistic Star

9st 7lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Ran creditably on good to firm ground on his first and penultimate turf attempts this season; beaten a neck by Almuhit over 2m in the latter but in just a four-runner race; edging down the weights but others are a bit more persuasive; no win since May 2023 and connections turn to headgear.

14/1

5th

5

(7)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:55 Goodwood

Artistic Star

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Ran respectably on soft here two years ago; downgraded from Group contests to handicaps for last five outings, running creditably on first and latest attempts this season; they were over 1m6f and 2m, beaten a neck last time but in just a four-runner race; this event is more competitive.

18/1

Form: 121-59

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Won the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (1m2f, heavy) last October and his staying-on fifth in the 2,000 Guineas (1m, soft) suggested he could be a fine middle-distance prospect; better could have been expected in the Derby (1m4f, good to firm), when only ninth, but not every horse takes to Epsom and he retains potential; won on fast ground last summer; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Dubai Mile

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Won the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (1m2f, heavy) last October and his staying-on fifth in the 2,000 Guineas (1m, soft) suggested he could be a fine middle-distance prospect; better could have been expected in the Derby (1m4f, good to firm), when only ninth, but not every horse takes to Epsom and he retains potential; won on fast ground last summer; not written off.

20/1

9th

6

(5)

3rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

13:30 Epsom

Dubai Mile

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Novice winner on good to firm; lost nothing in defeat when second of four to The Foxes in a muddling Group 2 at Newmarket and he was so game when beating Arrest in Group 1 at Saint-Cloud in October (1m2f, heavy); reappeared with a respectable fifth in the 2,000 Guineas and while the recent dry spell has not helped his chance, his fighting spirit could still see him thereabouts.

18/1

5th

4

(6)

6th May 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

16:40 Newmarket

Dubai Mile

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Charlie Johnston

Progressive as 2yo, usually front-running; close second of four in the Group 2 Royal Lodge over C&D (good) on penultimate start and, after others had gone past him over 4f out, he rallied his way to a narrow Group 1 win at Saint-Cloud (1m2f, heavy) in October; needs further improvement and the drop back in trip has to be a worry.

40/1

Form: 112-10 D BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Fast-ground maiden winner who reappeared with easy win in the Group 3 Chester Vase (1m4f, soft); disappointing favourite in the Derby (1m4f, good to firm) last time but he lost a shoe and Frankie Dettori reported he "hated the track and the ground"; provided conditions suit, it will be no surprise if he taps back into his previous abundant promise with a big performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

11th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Arrest

9st 8lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

led overall, raced centre from 8f out, drifted right against near rail over 1f out, soon headed, no match for winner, 2nd of 3 in group

100/30

2nd

2

(6)

9th May 2024

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:40 Chester

Arrest

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

towards rear, good headway on outer from over 2f out

15/8

2nd

2

(6)

9th May 2024

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:40 Chester

Arrest

9st 2lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: John & Thady Gosden

3yo campaign featured wins in the Chester Vase and Geoffrey Freer, plus good second in the St Leger; appeared to need his Newbury reappearance run and should be spot-on for this return to the Roodee; leading player provided there's no jar in the ground (underperformed on good to firm last year).

15/8

Form: 22-143 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Listed fourth at Newmarket (1m2f, good) last month and third in the Group 2 Italian Derby (1m3f, heavy) last time; has improved with each of his five runs and could continue to progress, but he needs to take a sizeable step forward if he's to win this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(20)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Relentless Voyager

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won handicap at Epsom (good to soft) on Derby day and good second from the front in Group 3 at Goodwood (good to firm) three weeks ago, both 1m4f; third in 1m6f Listed race at York in between might suggest limitations for today's task but trying to come from off a steady pace will have counted against him, so he's not fully exposed.

12/1

2nd

5

(1)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

13:50 Goodwood

Relentless Voyager

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Better than ever when readily winning competitive handicap at Epsom (1m4f, good to soft) on Derby day; not seen to best effect in steadily run Listed race at York last time and could have the same problem today, while there's a question as to whether he's fully effective on fast ground; however, this progressive 4yo could yet have more to offer and is not ruled out.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.50
Straight Forecast £11.04
Trifecta £36.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

King Of Steel

Telegraph:

Arrest

The Sun:

Artistic Star

RP RATINGS:

King Of Steel

TOPSPEED:

King Of Steel

POSTDATA:

King Of Steel

NEWMARKET:

King Of Steel

The Times:

King Of Steel

The Guardian:

King Of Steel

Daily Mail:

King Of Steel

Daily Mirror:

King Of Steel

The Star:

King Of Steel

Daily Record:

King Of Steel

D Express:

Arrest