Calandagan returns to Ascot on Saturday to defend his crown in the Group One King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the five-year-old heads a star-studded field of nine runners for Britain’s most prestigious all-age Flat race. Under perfect conditions and armed with proven course form, Calandagan enters the 3.35pm feature with an exceptionally strong chance of going back-to-back.
Defending the Crown Against Global Challengers
Twelve months ago, Calandagan secured victory in this very contest, marking the second of five consecutive Group Ones. Though he struggled on slow ground during the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June, he rebounded quickly a month later to claim the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Saturday’s renewal brings a thrilling rematch with Japanese star Masquerade Ball, whom Calandagan narrowly edged out in the Japan Cup last November. Takahisa Tezuka’s colt arrives following an excellent second-place finish behind Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin in 2026, and the step up in trip at Ascot could unlock further improvement.
Despite the caliber of the opposition—which also includes Kalpana—Calandagan’s past success at the Berkshire venue makes him the horse to beat. Wagering markets utilizing the World Pool offer intriguing exotic value, but the defending champion remains the solid choice in the win market.
Navigating the International Handicap and World Pool Value
Before the feature race gets underway, the 2.55pm International Handicap presents a fiercely competitive betting puzzle. William Haggas saddles the unbeaten three-year-old Extremely Zain, who is widely expected to transition into Group company soon. Following a stellar handicap debut victory at York last month where he overcame traffic trouble in a large field, Extremely Zain looks formidable.
Rather than taking short odds on the favorite outright, savvy punters are eyeing the World Pool Quinella market by pairing him with proven course specialists. Akkadian Thunder enters calculations after a troubled run at Doncaster last week, where he was repeatedly blocked for room in the closing stages over 1400m. He carries a much more favorable handicap weight than when he contested this exact race twelve months ago, alongside a commendable runner-up effort in the Buckingham Palace Stakes.
Completing the Quinella shortlist is Back In Black, a model of remarkable consistency. Having finished inside the top four in seven of his last eight starts—including a gritty second behind Aalto in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket two weeks ago—he is virtually guaranteed to run his race and hit the frame.
The Tactical Landscape at Ascot
Saturday’s race card highlights the sheer global drawing power of Ascot’s summer meetings, bringing together French, Japanese, and British racing excellence. With the World Pool operating across all eight races on the card, liquidity reaches global scales, providing punters with deep pools and rewarding exotic dividends.
As the stalls open for the 3.35pm showcase, all eyes will be on whether Calandagan can cement his legacy with another masterclass on British turf. Will the defending champion hold off the international challenge, or can a fresh challenger upset the hierarchy? Share your thoughts and race-day tactics in the comments below.
