TOP AND TAG THE TWO TO BACK

Saturday sees one of my favourite races in the calendar take place, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. These contests where the three year old generation pit their wits against their older counterparts are often mouthwatering clashes and this year's renewal does not seem an exception. The triumvirate of three year olds this year are intriguing and my selections are two of these.

Connections of EAGLE TOP would have been overjoyed that the heavens opened on Friday afternoon, as there were doubts about his participation would the ground have been too firm. That downpour looks almost certain to have allayed any fears of him not running. This seems a little peculiar as he won on a road at Royal Ascot, but his trainer John Gosden cited the reason as that he would prefer ground with some cut in it and that he wants to keep him sound for later races. This suggests that Gosden rates him highly, thinking he can go onto better things. Jockey William Buick also appears to be quite sweet on him following his facile victory in the King Edward VII Stakes. Although he came off the bridle fairly early that day, the way he put the race to bed was visually impressive and although he may not have beaten much that day, he looks like the sort of horse who could progress enough to take the spoils.

Fourth in a Leicester Class 3 Handicap to Group 1 glory?

My other selection is Oaks victor TAGHROODA. She could hardly have won the Epsom Classic any more impressively but it has to be noted that the form is a little sketchy in places. The last three year old filly to run in this race was another unbeaten Oaks winner, Eswarah, who was owned Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum, the same owner as Taghrooda. She was beaten a long way that day, so Taghrooda would have to be a super filly if she is to make her presence felt. But for me, she could be THAT good. Not forgetting she gets allowances for her age and sex too.

Is Ghrood good enough?

As for the final three year old in the lineup, Romsdal may fall a little short at this grade at this time. He has place claims for sure but this may just be a prep run for the St Leger, where he looks to be in pole position as it stands.

Now for the older horses. Telescope is far too short a price for a horse who has never won a Group 1. Admittedly his rout last time out was very impressive but he really was not beating world beaters and would have to step up a lot on that to get competitive here. If he is the next Harbinger then so be it, but I'm not quite convinced... yet.

Magician and Trading Leather are solid horses but I think they both might find at least one too good. Magician usually gets beaten by one or two, his moment in the sun being in the Breeders Cup Turf. However, that day he was given a spectacular ride by the imperious Ryan Moore. The question posed here is has Magician got enough talent of his own to win another valuable prize? Not for me. As for Trading Leather, he is another who often finds at least one too good, including when second behind Novellist in this race last year. He was well beaten that day in truth and I just think he may not be good enough to claim first prize. His big race success came in the Irish Derby, but this was a poor race considering it was a Classic and it seems as though he would have to run a massive personal best to win this. Just not quite good enough in my opinion.

Coral Eclipse winner Mukhadram is a doubtful stayer and looks unlikely to get an easy lead here. He'll need everything to fall into place for him to succeed and I just don't see this reliable, hardy horse doing it in this race. However, a Coral Eclipse winner at 16/1 in any race is a little startling to be fair.

Leitir Mor- enjoy the day.

Enjoy the big race

Happy Punting!