Andrea set for more QIPCO glory

Ten horses have been left in the QIPCO-sponsored Gr.1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Qatar Racing is not represented in the big race, but Bletchley, who ran so well at the Royal Meeting, is one of 20 fillies in the Gr.3 Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes on the same card.

The feature event seems to revolve around Postponed, the Roger Varian-trained five-year-old who is bidding for a sixth consecutive victory, a roll that started when he won the race last year under Andrea Atzeni (pictured lifting the winner's trophy below). He has improved his rating since then, and was impressive on his latest start in Epsom's Gr.1 Coronation Cup. Postponed's rivals are likely to include the recent Hardwicke Stakes one and two, Dartmouth and Highland Reel, and Derby fourth Wings Of Desire.

The Queen owns Dartmouth, and also Maths Exam, who could prove hard to beat in the opening maiden (2.00) race at Ffos Las today.

Maths Exam was second on his debut at Sandown, in a race in which Qatar Racing's Naval Warfare ran a very pleasing race to take fourth he reopposes Maths Exam today, and over the same trip and on similar ground has to improve by just over two lengths to gain revenge.

Oisin Murphy rides the colt this afternoon after William Buick rode Naval Warfare at Sandown, and trainer Andrew Balding says: ‚"William was very complementary about his attitude and potential ability, which is encouraging.‚"

Picture: Laurence Squire