'All systems go' for Kalpana with Juddmonte star primed for heavyweight King George at Ascot

Kalpana is raring to go for Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (4.10) after recent rain at Ascot eased conditions to good at the royal racecourse. 

Connections had been nervous about the prospect of quick ground for Britain's richest all-aged contest, but after rain arrived at Ascot over the weekend, and with further showers forecast before the two-day King George meeting starts on Friday, Kalpana is primed for action. 

"Kalpana is all systems go for the King George," said Barry Mahon, European racing manager to owners Juddmonte. "This has been her intended target since her last run in Ireland and she's in good shape."

A Group 1 winner in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes last season, Kalpana has twice run admirably in defeat at the Curragh this season, finishing third to Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup before going down only to Whirl – to whom she was conceding 12lb – in the Pretty Polly Stakes, and Mahon is looking forward to stepping back up in trip on Saturday. 

"I think her two runs this year have been very solid," he said. "We know she's proven over a mile and a half on soft ground, so for her to produce those performances [this season] over ten furlongs on quicker ground is very promising. 

"We would be hopeful of a strong showing on Saturday back over 12 furlongs, for all it looks a competitive race."

Kalpana: edged out by Whirl in the Pretty PollyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Kalpana is a best-priced 5-1 with William Hill and Coral after eight of the 17 entries stood their ground on Monday. The field is headed by Calandagan at 15-8 with Ladbrokes, while his Coronation Cup conqueror Jan Brueghel is a general 2-1 chance.

As well as Jan Brueghel, trainer Aidan O'Brien indicated on Saturday that Continuous is likely to join his stablemate at Ascot, while English and Irish Derby winner Lambourn and Whirl also remain in contention. 

Assessing the opposition, Mahon said: "Calandagan is a top-class horse, and we all saw what Jan Brueghel did at Epsom. I don’t know if Lambourn will line up as well, but a Derby winner always commands respect.”

Godolphin flagbearer Rebel's Romance, who won over the King George course and distance in last month's Hardwicke Stakes, and the Jessica Harrington-trained Green Impact complete the possible runners for a race worth a record £1.5 million.

Last year's King George was won by surprise package GoliathCredit: Edward Whitaker

Rain forecast but good ground likely

Rain over the weekend at Ascot was also welcomed by clerk of the course Chris Stickels, who was calling the going good on Monday. 

"We've all been crying out for rain and we had about 15mm," said Stickels. "We're good ground at the moment and natural rainfall is much more helpful than irrigation." 

Occasional showers are forecast at Ascot through to Wednesday, with a further 5mm to 8mm estimated, but conditions are expected to be dry for racing on Friday and Saturday. 

If the forecast proves correct, Stickels said he would anticipate the ground remaining at its description of good for the weekend, but that is subject to change. 

He said: "I don't think there'll be a huge amount of rain this week, unless one of these showers turns out to be really heavy. We'll monitor the situation as we go, but from Thursday lunchtime onwards it's due to turn dry and warmer."

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Paddy Power: 7-4 Calandagan, 15-8 Jan Brueghel, 4 Kalpana, 13-2 Rebel’s Romance, 12 Lambourn, 14 Whirl, 25 Green Impact, 100 Continuous.

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