Templegate’s King George tip, runner-by-runner guide and 1-2-3 prediction

ASCOT, ENGLAND – JULY 26: Mickael Barzalona riding Calandagan win The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on July 26, 2025 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images) Credit: Getty TEMPLEGATE goes through all the runners in Saturday’s show-stopping King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes from Ascot. A sensational Group 1 worth £2million is in store live on ITV at 3.35pm. Can Ryan Moore serve it up for the Classic generation aboard Benvenuto Cellini in an epic King George? Credit: Sportsfile Our top tipster, who’s in hot form himself currently, goes through every horse rating them one (worst) to five (best). Back any horse you fancy and scroll down to the bottom for his all-important tip and 1-2-3 prediction. Templegate’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner-by-runner guide CALANDAGAN 5 CAL to play for. Defending champion looks the one they all have to beat. His defeat in the Coronation Cup looks nothing more than a blip after he bounced back to win another Group 1 at St-Cloud, adding to an outstanding record that also includes last year’s King George, Champion Stakes and Japan Cup. He has an exceptional turn of foot, relishes Ascot and is unbeaten here. He likes quick ground, is versatile tactics wise and has a massive touch of class. Most read in Horse Racing GOLIATH 3 GOLIATH a giant. Stablemate of Calandagan who produced a memorable display to win this race two years ago and showed much of that ability remains when third in the Hardwicke here last month. Christophe Soumillon lost an iron at a crucial stage and was unable to fully ride him out, so that run was even better. Even so, this looks a stronger renewal and he may find one or two with greater finishing speed. LAMBOURN 1 LAM chop. Last year’s Derby and Irish Derby winner has struggled this season despite an encouraging Chester success on his return. He will be setting the pace for his Ballydoyle stablemates. MASQUERADE BALL 4 BALL rolling. The Japanese challenger brings top-class international form and already has close ties with the favourite, having gone down by only a nose to Calandagan in last year’s Japan Cup. He was only a length behind superstar Romantic Warrior in Hong Kong. This step back up to a mile and a half looks ideal and he is a real contender. WURTTEMBERG 2 WURT hurt. High-class performer in Japan who produced a career-best effort when narrowly denied in a Group 1 over two miles at Kyoto latest. The drop back in trip should hold no fears, but he needs another step forward to trouble this opposition. KALPANA 3 KAL to play for. Ultra-consistent mare who finished second to Calandagan in this race last year before gaining Group 1 compensation in the Champion Fillies over C&D. She returned with a Group 3 success before only just failing to catch Giavellotto in the Hardwicke at the Royal meeting. Another who loves Ascot, she looks a solid place contender. MINNIE HAUK 3 HAUK can fly. Last season’s Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks heroine looked right back to her best when runner-up to Ombudsman in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes here. The return to 1m4f is an obvious plus and she has already shown she handles this track and quick ground well. She receives the 3lb fillies’ allowance and is entitled to be in the mix if building on that encouraging Royal Ascot effort. ACTION 1 ENEMY Action. Runner-up in the Dante earlier this year but well beaten in both the Derby and Irish Derby when blasting off from the front. Could he be a pacemaker for the other Ballydoyle pacemaker? BENVENUTO CELLINI 4 BIG Ben. A rapidly improving three-year-old who confirmed his class when winning the Irish Derby on good to firm ground after his Derby non-runner farce when he crossed the line tenth. That poor Epsom run came on soft and can be forgiven. Open to further improvement and with Ryan Moore choosing him, he receives plenty of weight from his older rivals and looks capable of making a serious impact. Templegate’s tip and tricast prediction ANSWER the Cal in the £2,000,000 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. CALANDAGAN (3.35 Ascot) won this race 12 months ago and ran close to his best when taking another Group 1 at St-Cloud last time out. That proved his foolish Coronation Cup run in the Epsom mud hasn’t left a mark and his class can shine again. Japanese hope Masquerade Ball is a serious player after pushing Hong Kong giant Romantic Warrior all the way at Sha Tin last time. He likes this trip on firm. Benvenuto Cellini looks the pick of the Ballydoyle team after his impressive Irish Derby win last time but this is tougher. 1 Calandagan2 Masquerade Ball3 Benvenuto Cellini FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Comment now