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The King Edward VII Stakes is a Group 2 race that is open to three-year-old colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 211 yards (2,406 metres). The event was established in 1834, and it was originally known as the Ascot Derby. In the early part of its history, it was also open to fillies. The race was renamed in memory of King Edward VII in 1926.
The King Edward VII Stakes is currently held about two weeks after The Derby, and it usually features horses which were entered for that race. There is no change in that structure for this year’s renewal. Let’s check out the runners involved in the race and see which horses are providing the best Royal Ascot odds on the market.
Dubai Mile
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
Jockey: Daniel Muscutt
Was a good juvenile, but has yet to spring to life so far this campaign. He was beaten near a dozen lengths in the Derby last time out and that race can take it out of horses. Will need to have sufficiently recovered from that but this is another big ask.
Arrest
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Another that needs a miracle to turn around the form with King Of Steel from the Derby at Epsom. He had looked progressive before that run though and was an impressive winner of the Chester Vase on his seasonal reappearance. He could be forgiven for not handling the track last time, but he needs to step forward and improve again.
Artistic Star
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Rob Hornby
Another also ran from the Epsom Derby but he did have a few of these in behind including Arrest and Dubai Mile. Ralph Beckett has enjoyed a fantastic Royal Ascot so far and no surprise to see this one turn in another solid performance to confirm form with those he beat last day. Whether he can get near the favourite is the main question, but he could well follow him home.
Continuous
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Was beaten out of sight at Chantilly by Ace Impact last time but prior to that had looked quietly progressive. Ryan Moore knows him well and has partnered him in each start and it could well be that the travelling to France just didn’t suit him last time. Likely to run a solid race but may struggle against an in-form rival.
King Of Steel
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Kevin Stott
Really seems to have strengthened up throughout the winter and appreciated the trip up to a mile-and-a-half at Epsom Downs. He ran an absolutely cracking race the first time out this season on what was his first-ever start for Roger Varian. Fully entitled to improve for that run and can confirm all recent form with his Epsom rivals once more.
Relentless Voyager
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Relentless Voyager has been beaten out of sight in lesser company than this and is now beginning to look thoroughly exposed. Most of these rivals ought to be able to improve past him quite easily and he looks as though he will struggle here.
King Edward VII Stakes Betting Tips
It is very hard to deny the solid claims of King Of Steel in this race having performed so brilliantly on what was his first start for Roger Varian. He is likely to have left plenty to work on and no surprise if he can double down on the beating he gave to the likes of Arrest, Dubai Mile and Artistic Star.
A couple of these ran too bad to be true last time including Arrest. Back on a more conservative track, he could well get closer to the Derby runner-up. He was beaten so far for that though that he is quite hard to recommend as an alternative to the Varian Runner. The same applies to Dubai Mile who has just not looked the same horse this season.
It could well be left to Artistic Star and Continuous to battle it out for minor honours with preference going to the Ballydoyle representative.
1. King Of Steel @ 6/5 with Bet365 bonus code
2. Continuous @ 11/2 with Bet365
All odds are accurate at the time of writing.
