Emily Upjohn backed to deny Derby star Auguste Rodin in King George clash

Auguste Rodin bids to become the first horse since Galileo to claim the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.40) after completing a Derby double but Emily Upjohn has also been backed this morning to strike in the hotly anticipated Group 1 clash. 

The feature race at Ascot is a top-class affair, with Derby 1-2 Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel facing last year's winner Pyledriver, 2022 Coronation Cup winner Hukum and Emily Upjohn, who was backed into 4-1 second favourite (from 9-2). 

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly finished last of six in the race 12 months ago when pulling too hard under Frankie Dettori but showed a marked improvement on her next start to take Group 1 honours at Ascot's Champions Day in October. 

She returned this season with a smooth success over Westover in the Coronation Cup before going down narrowly to Paddington in the Coral-Eclipse on her most recent run. 

Dettori, who missed the ride at Sandown due to a careless riding ban, will be reunited with the four-year-old as he seeks a record eighth win in the 1m4f contest. 

While he will be hoping to deliver victory in his final King George ride, Auguste Rodin remains a warm order to land his third consecutive Group 1 success and is now backed into 2-1 (from 3) to strike for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien, while King Of Steel has drifted to 11-2. 

Westover, who was sent off favourite for the race last year but could only manage fifth, has also been well supported into 8-1 (from 11).  

The showpiece event is one of seven races live on ITV on Saturday, with action also coming from York including the feature Sky Bet York Stakes (3.15).

Market movers

Ascot

1.15: North View 11-2 (from 25)
2.25: Cadeau Belle 9-4 (from 11-2)
3.40: Auguste Rodin, 2-1 (from 3), Emily Upjohn 4-1 (from 9-2), Westover 8-1 (from 11)
4.15: Sunway 7-2 (from 11-2)
4.50: Ghaly 7-2 (from 7)

York

2.05 Ey Up It's Maggie 15-2 (from 14)
2.40 Aberama Gold 5-1 (from 10)
4.35 Golden Shot 15-8 (from 11-4)

Updated at 2pm

Ground quickens at Ascot ahead of a King George for the ages

Showers continue to fall across Britain and Ireland this weekend but it is unlikely to put a dampener on one of the most exciting races of the Flat season when Auguste Rodin and King Of Steel take on their elders in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (3.40). 

Conditions have quickened overnight ahead of the Ascot showdown following minimal showers after racing on Friday, leaving the going good to soft, good in places on the round course and good on the straight course. 

"I think that's beautiful ground out there," said Eve Johnson Houghton after claiming the opening race with the promising Indian Run, with William Buick and Rossa Ryan both confirming the good conditions out on the track. 

Speaking just before 8am, Ascot clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "The ground has dried slightly, so the going has changed this morning. We've had a brief light shower but it hadn't measured in the gauge by 6.30am and it's only at 0.2 millimetres now. 

"I wasn't sure what to expect this morning with the weather but the rain has been minimal and there are only occasional light showers forecast for the rest of the day."

Ascot: conditions quickened ahead of King George showdownCredit: Edward Whitaker

The quickening ground has led to the absence of Hamish, who was due to be the sole runner in the King George for William Haggas and Richard Kingscote. 

The soft-ground specialist, who landed the John Smith's Silver Cup at York on his last start, was a general 50-1 shot but his presence was always in doubt unless significant showers appeared overnight. 

Haggas could have better luck on Saturday at York, where three races are due to be aired on ITV including the feature Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes (3.15). 

My Prospero is an odds-on favourite to claim the contest under Tom Marquand, with conditions now good, good to soft in places (from good to soft, soft in places) ahead of the seven-race card. 

"Last night after racing we had just a very light shower and we've been dry since," clerk of the course Anthea Leigh said. "It's been a dry morning with some cloud cover, but the sun is just trying to come out now.

"It's looks like a dry forecast with a 30 per cent chance of catching a light shower right before racing, and we've moved the rail from the nine-furlong pole to the entrance to the home straight just to provide some fresh ground."

Non-runners

Ascot

1.50 Soprano (not eaten up)
2.25 Vetiver (bad scope)
3.00 Nizaaka (respiratory infection), Top Secret (infected foot)
3.40 Hamish (going)
5.25 Khunan (going)

York

4.00 Whoop Whoop (rash), Chat Up Line (not eaten up)
4.35 Captain Kane (going)
5.10 Enthrallment (not sound), Dubai Crystal (going), Bulldog Spirit (going)

Updated at 2.15pm

Read more:

2023 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot: the runners, the odds, the verdict  

2023 King George pinstickers' guide: David Jennings has his say on the Group 1 runners and riders at Ascot  

Seven key pointers to help you beat the bookies on Saturday 

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