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How are the markets shaping up for the rest of this summer's big Group 1 races?

The Coral-Eclipse and King George and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
Markets for the Coral-Eclipse and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes are taking shape

Royal Ascot is over, and the five-day spectacular provided plenty of pointers for the big Group 1 races that remain this summer. Here we run through some of the prizes still to be won . . . 


Coral-Eclipse

3.35 Sandown, July 5

Ombudsman heads the betting for the 1m2f contest at a general 7-4 following his impressive win in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. John and Thady Gosden's colt posted a career-best Racing Post Rating of 130 at Ascot, which would have been enough to win the last nine runnings of the race, and he still looks open to improvement on the back of only six starts. 

Ombudsman storms to success in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes
Ombudsman: winner of the Prince of Wales's StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

French raider Sosie looks a likely rival. Andre Fabre's four-year-old has won back-to-back Group 1s at Longchamp this season, his most recent success coming in last month's Prix d'Ispahan. 

Aidan O'Brien has claimed the last two Eclipses with three-year-olds Paddington and City Of Troy, and his French Derby winner Camille Pissarro looks his strongest chance this year, while stablemate Delacroix could bid to put his Derby disappointment behind him. 

Almaqam, who had Ombudsman directly behind in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over course and distance last month, could bid to continue Ed Walker's excellent season.

William Hill: 7-4 Ombudsman, 3 Sosie, 5 Camille Pissarro, 7 Delacroix, 10 Almaqam, Calandagan, 12 Anmaat, 14 Economics, 16 bar.


July Cup

4.35 Newmarket, July 12 

Flora Of Bermuda did best of the British runners when third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes behind Lazzat and Satono Reve, and she is now vying for favouritism with Symbol Of Honour, who has won four of his five starts this year and is five from six over this 6f trip.

Flora Of Bermuda's owners Wathnan Racing could also be represented by Kind Of Blue, who gained a Group 1 breakthrough win in last year's Champions Sprint but disappointed when sent off at odds-on for his seasonal reappearance in a Chantilly Group 3 this month.

Kind Of Blue beats Swingalong (far side) in the British Champions Sprint
Kind Of Blue (red cap): Group 1 winner at Ascot last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Kevin Ryan's Inisherin finished fifth when sent off the 11-8 favourite for this race last year and was only seventh in the Jubilee at Ascot.

bet365: 4 Flora Of Bermuda, Symbol Of Honour, 6 Inisherin, 8 Kinross, 9 Kind Of Blue, 10 Believing, 12 Arizona Blaze, Night Raider, 14 Whistlejacket, 16 bar.


King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

3.35 Ascot, July 26

Andrew Balding's Kalpana burst on to the scene with a two-length win in the Group 1 Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last October and made a creditable reappearance when third behind Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month. Stepping back up to 1m4f will suit on that evidence.

Kalpana: Group 1 winner crowned an excellent 2024 for her sire Study Of Man
Kalpana: impressive winner of the Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

St Leger winner Jan Brueghel bounced back from a Group 3 defeat at the Curragh when fending off Calandagan to win the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. He remains open to improvement.

Goliath caused a 25-1 upset in this race last year under Christophe Soumillon and returned to winning ways when dropped to Group 3 level at Longchamp last time. His trainer Francis Graffard could also run Calandagan, who has finished runner-up in Group 1 company on each of his last four starts.

Godolphin globetrotter Rebel's Romance took the Hardwicke Stakes over course and distance last time and could bid to improve on his third in this race last year.

Betfred: 3 Jan Brueghel, Kalpana, 6 Calandagan, Rebel's Romance, 7 Goliath, 8 Ombudsman, 10 Lambourn, Sosie, 12 Amiloc, 16 bar.


Qatar Sussex Stakes

3.05 Goodwood, July 30

Field Of Gold ran out a decisive winner of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, supplementing his Irish 2,000 Guineas success, and could take on his elders over a mile for the first time here.

Richard Hannon's Rosallion is his main market rival and has run well in defeat in both starts this season, going down by just a nose to Docklands in the Queen Anne last time. 

Docklands beats Rosallion (right) in the Queen Anne Stakes
Rosallion (right): close second in the Queen Anne StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Henri Matisse chased home Field Of Gold in the St James's Palace and could renew rivalry, while his stablemate Lake Victoria is also a possible contender. She saw the form of her Irish 1,000 Guineas win boosted when the third, Cercene, claimed the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.

Charlie Appleby, William Buick and Godolphin combined to win this race with Notable Speech last year and the son of Dubawi could attempt to retain his crown, too.

BetVictor: 10-11 Field Of Gold, 4 Rosallion, 6 Lake Victoria, 8 Henri Matisse, 10 Notable Speech, Porta Fortuna, The Lion In Winter, 12 Dancing Gemini, 14 bar.


Read these next:

Field Of Gold camp eye Group 1 options after 'complete' Ascot performance earns blockbuster rating 

Ed Chamberlin: 'Having a striking grey for a terrestrial audience makes him all the more appealing - he’s going to capture attention' 

Derby rematch moves closer as Epsom 1-2-3 are all confirmed for Sunday's Irish equivalent at the Curragh 


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