Who will win the 2020 King George based on previous trends?

The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, which takes place live on ITV at 3.35pm on Saturday, has attracted a select field of three. Here we look at which factors have proved useful to finding the winner of the Ascot Group 1, based on the last ten races.

Proven quality

There is an emphasis on quality in the King George and eight of the last ten winners had finished in the first two in a 1m4f Group 1.

The short-priced favourite Enable definitely fits that criterion, having won this race in 2017 and last year when beating Crystal Ocean.

Frankie Dettori celebrates after winning last year's King GeorgeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Both the Aidan O'Brien-trained runners have also won at the highest level over that trip. Sovereign won the Irish Derby last year and Japan claimed the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp under Ryan Moore.

Age

Eight of the last ten winners of the King George were aged three or four, with the exception of the last two years, when it has gone to experienced runners, with Enable and Poet's Word winning at five.

King George card and betting

Enable naturally falls down on this but the O'Brien runners fit the bill as four-year-olds – no three-year-olds made the final field.

Form

Nine of the last ten winners finished in the top three on their most recent start, with the only exception Danedream, who was fourth in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud before winning in 2012.

Enable has finished second on her last two starts, in the Arc and most recently when finishing two and a quarter lengths behind Ghaiyyath in the Eclipse, with Japan a further head behind in third.

Sovereign has only made one appearance since his runaway victory in the Irish Derby, finishing third in the Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes.

Final verdict

It is a highly competitive race but preference is for Enable, who is a proven performer at the highest level and finished ahead of her nearest rival Japan when second on her reappearance at Sandown.

If you want to know more about the King George, read these:

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes: John Gosden's views on Enable's Ascot bid

One horse, one jockey, one race and one trainer to watch on Saturday

'It will be tactical' – Gosden happy to let Dettori take the lead in King George

Japan to tackle Enable at Ascot as Magical goes to the Curragh on Sunday instead

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