Calandagan leads confirmed field for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Defending champion Calandagan heads the 10 confirmed runners for Saturday’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot as connections prepare for one of the highlights of the Flat racing season.

Trained by Francis Graffard, the five-year-old will bid to retain his crown after returning to winning form in the Group 1 Prix de Saint-Cloud. He had previously suffered only the second defeat of his career when finishing outside the first two in the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Graffard could also make history this weekend, with Goliath joining Calandagan in the field. Victory for either horse would see the French trainer become the first to win the King George in three consecutive years this century.

Japan has two representatives in the line-up. Masquerade Ball arrives after finishing a length behind Romantic Warrior on his latest start for Takahisa Tezuka, while Wurttemberg will make his British debut for Hiroshi Miyamoto with Oisin Murphy booked to ride.

Kalpana heads the home challenge for Andrew Balding. The Juddmonte-owned mare was beaten by a length in last year’s King George before going down by just a short head in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot on her most recent outing.

George Scott’s Bay City Roller has also been confirmed after his Coronation Cup victory. The four-year-old is set to make his first appearance at Ascot.

Aidan O’Brien, who has won the race four times, is chasing a first King George success since Highland Reel triumphed in 2016.

Benvenuto Cellini appears to be his leading contender after winning the Irish Derby on his latest start. Earlier in the season, the colt was declared a non-runner in the Derby despite crossing the line in 10th place.

O’Brien has also confirmed Minnie Hauk, who finished second to Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

Action and Lambourn complete the Ballydoyle squad. Action has not added to his maiden success, while Lambourn won the Huxley Stakes on his seasonal return before suffering defeat on his latest outing.

The confirmed runners for Saturday’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes are:

• Calandagan (Francis Graffard)
• Bay City Roller (George Scott)
• Goliath (Francis Graffard)
• Masquerade Ball (Takahisa Tezuka)
• Wurttemberg (Hiroshi Miyamoto)
• Kalpana (Andrew Balding)
• Lambourn (Aidan O’Brien)
• Minnie Hauk (Aidan O’Brien)
• Action (Aidan O’Brien)
• Benvenuto Cellini (Aidan O’Brien)