'A huge anti-climax' - our analyst wasn't impressed with the King George

Saturday's King George was a huge anti-climax, with only two of the six giving anything like their true running and there being upwards of eight lengths back to the others, including Westover and Emily Upjohn. They both lost their race in the first half-mile by refusing to settle, with the early downhill run working against them. The pace was good, with Westover going faster than his rider wanted even before Broome applied some pressure from six furlongs out.

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes: full result and race replay

Pyledriver

Pyledriver has occasionally come up short due to a failure to settle, but on this occasion he had the perfect trip, tracking the duelling leaders into the straight, with the flailing Gosden pair out of it in behind.

PJ McDonald punches the air as Pyledriver wins the King GeorgeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

With his nearest pursuer visibly not enjoying the ground, he was left to collect a second highly prestigious Group 1, following last season's hard-fought Coronation Cup win.

All roads now lead to the Arc, a race for which Paddy Power cut his odds to 16-1 from 66s, but he'd be no good thing to confirm form with the runner-up (defending Arc Champion) on slower ground, and a race such as the Breeders' Cup Turf may prove more his bag.

Torquator Tasso

Torquator Tasso, a shock winner of last season's Arc when sloshing his way through the bottomless ground, was back on track at Hamburg earlier in July following a disappointing return.

Like the winner here, he enjoyed a nice tow into the race and emerged as the chief danger inside the last two furlongs with those around him dropping away.

He wasn't enjoying the ground but kept on grinding and, on a softer surface, can reverse the form with the winner back at Longchamp in October.

'He can reverse the form' - last year's Arc winner Torquator Tasso (right) ran a gallant race in the King GeorgeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Mishriff

Mishriff, runner-up to Derby winner Adayar in this race 12 months ago when just outstayed, should have won the Eclipse on his recent return from a break, getting no run before flashing home.

As was the case at Sandown, he blew the start and, despite getting himself into the mix for second, never looked like winning.

He stays this trip when there is more emphasis on speed, but is best at shorter and it will be onto York next as he attempts to defend his Juddmonte International crown. The slow starting is a serious issue that needs sorting before his bid to go back-to-back at the Knavesmire next month.

Broome

Broome took no prisoners when winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot but he couldn't dominate this time and his move to pressure the pace from six furlongs out served to benefit only those in behind.

Westover

Westover, unlucky not to push Desert Crown close in the Derby before demolishing the field in the Irish Derby (Oaks winner Tuesday didn't give her running), got worked up beforehand and failed to settle in the race. He never seeming likely to win once pulling his way to the front after two furlongs.

He duly dropped right off them in the straight and is going to need a major bounce back to form for the big autumn prizes, when he will need to be much more relaxed.

Westover: Irish Derby winner undone by being far too keenCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Emily Upjohn

Emily Upjohn, whose yard had won this with top-class three-year-old fillies Taghrooda and Enable in recent times, looked unlucky when losing her unbeaten record in the Oaks and was only here because of travel complications in getting to Ireland for the Irish Oaks the previous week.

Like the favourite, she lost her race in the first half-mile by refusing to settle and cut out quickly in the straight. It would be no surprise to see her sporting a hood in future.

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What they said

William Muir, joint-trainer of Pyledriver
I thought for the last two weeks he would win. I didn't care what was in the race. I know they say Westover was fantastic in the Irish Derby and Emily Upjohn is terrific but I know Pyledriver is very, very good. He was showing all the signs at home. We feel sorry for Martin [Dwyer] – he told PJ exactly what to do today and it was brilliant.

Rene Piechulek, rider of Torquator Tasso
He had a perfect race – there was a good pace throughout. I had a great position behind the winner and it was a great run. All eyes are now on the Arc. The ground is fast and on softer ground we would be closer to the winner. It was his third run of the year and he’s not yet reached his top level. I’m very proud of him – the race was full of good horses and he was clear of the rest.

Mishriff: needs to start quicker if he is to threaten in future Group 1sCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

James Doyle, rider of Mishriff
What happened at the start obviously didn't help but we were going downhill, so I was able to cruise up. I was able to get up to them but they kept the pedal down and I was never able to properly fill up at any stage. It always just felt as though I was running at maximum. The trip has ultimately been shown to be a bit far for Mishriff.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Westover
There was nothing that you and I couldn't see. They didn't go on as we thought they would and it didn't happen for us.

Frankie Dettori, rider of Emily Upjohn
The trip was too far today at that pace.

Read more on the King George:

'I knew he was going to win' - Pyledriver stuns fancied rivals in King George

Torquator Tasso camp eye Arc as Beckett and Dettori react to King George flops

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