Kalpana defeats Calandagan in King George battle

Kalpana battled her way to a thrilling victory in the international clash of the generations landing a thrilling King George VI And Queen Stakes at Ascot.Wearing the same Juddmonte colours carried to victory by three-time winner Enable, the five-year-old mare exacted sweet revenge on her conqueror 12 months earlier when she had finished second to Calandagan. Sweeping into the lead well over a furlong out off the back of a ferocious pace set by Ballydoyle pacemaker Action, the Andrew Balding-trained mare powered clear up the straight. From there to the line she galloped on strongly to hold off the surge of last year's winner Calandagan to win by one and a half lengths at 13-2.Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini stayed on well to finish third under Ryan Moore with last year's dual Derby winner Lambourn in fourth. A field containing the last two winners, Derby heroes, two Japanese raiders, the Arc second and the winners of multiple Group Ones looked on paper the race of year. And on the track it did not disappoint. Latest Racing Stories Ryan Moore: Legendary jockey awarded MBE in King's Birthday Honours Derby: Benvenuto Cellini leads four-strong Aidan O'Brien team for Epsom Classic Epsom tips: Kevin Blake of At The Races makes his selections for Derby day Levi Williams: Former jockey jailed for manslaughter of pensioner he punched outside pub Derby: Andrew Balding 'very confident' in Item's stamina ahead of Epsom Hollie Doyle: Don't write off Constitution River despite French Derby draw More to follow...