The historic King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes returns to Ascot on Saturday, featuring a star-studded middle-distance lineup competing for a record-breaking £2 million prize.
Reigning champion Calandagan currently leads the betting market as the favourite, heading a thrilling international field that includes Japanese sensation Masquerade Ball and 2024 winner Goliath. Have a look at our betting tips for the races, as well as the best new customer offers available from UK betting sites.
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King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Betting tips
Our expert has a pair of selections for the big race on Saturday, with it set to be an incredible watch at Ascot.
- NAP: 3.35 – Masquerade Ball @ 4/1
- Next Best: 3.35 – Goliath @ 10/1
Japanese sensation to prove he’s the best
Japanese superstar Masquerade Ball arrives at Ascot with a massive point to prove in the £2 million King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Trained by Takahisa Tezuka and ridden by Christophe Lemaire, the four-year-old is seeking revenge after a heartbreaking defeat to reigning champion Calandagan in the 2025 Japan Cup.
Masquerade Ball boasts elite international form, including a big win in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and a strong runner-up finish behind Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong this past April. He also brings the benefit of a travelling companion in Wurttemberg, ensuring a smoother preparation for his European debut and potentially a tactical advantage on the track.
With owner Teruya Yoshida desperate to win this race 20 years after his star Heart’s Cry fell agonisingly short in 2006, the Japanese raider has been explicitly targeted for this midsummer showpiece.
Given his immense physical progression as a four-year-old and potential world-class ability, odds around 4/1 seem appealing for Masquerade Ball to finally deliver a historic King George victory for Japan.
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Goliath can challenge again on Saturday
Goliath returns to Ascot aiming to reclaim the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, having famously won the prestigious midsummer showpiece as a 25/1 outsider in 2024.
Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, who is bidding for a remarkable third straight victory in the race after also winning with Calandagan last year, Goliath brings an incredibly dangerous profile to the £2 million contest.
The former champion has shown he retains all of his elite ability this season, highlighted by a superb victory in the Grand Prix de Chantilly that proved his trademark turn of foot is still very much intact.
While the betting market is heavily focused on the rematch between stablemate Calandagan and Japanese raider Masquerade Ball, Goliath represents a good outside shot. Punters should completely forgive his recent outing in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he was cruising menacingly into contention before jockey Christophe Soumillon unfortunately had his foot slip out of the iron.
Returning to a course and distance where he has already delivered on the biggest stage, Goliath has the proven pedigree to fly under the radar and launch a serious challenge for a second King George crown.
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