Calandagan silences doubters with dazzling display as he runs down Kalpana in King George

Not even the Ballydoyle brains trust could mastermind the downfall of Calandagan, who produced a potent turn of foot from the rear of the field to settle a tactical running of the £1.5 million King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The most valuable contest ever run at Ascot, the King George looked a straightforward affair on paper, with 40-1 shot Continuous earmarked for pacesetting duties for last year's St Leger winner and stablemate Jan Brueghel. But Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore and Continuous's rider Wayne Lordan had other plans, with Continuous restrained on the shoulder of Jan Brueghel, who set just a pedestrian early gallop.

That meant their rivals would have to come around both Ballydoyle runners to challenge in the straight, but while Rebel's Romance ran into a cul-de-sac up the inside, first Kalpana and then Calandagan were strong enough to circumnavigate their rivals and sail on by.

Kalpana kicked first and in decisive fashion under Oisin Murphy, but Mickael Barzalona was sitting on something extra and played his trump card last of all as Calandagan unleashed a sustained burst of speed that took him past the leader in the final half-furlong to seal back-to-back wins in the King George for trainer Francis Graffard.

"What happened in the race came as a surprise," admitted Graffard, who nevertheless presented without a hair out of place during the debrief. "I was upset I didn't put [last year's winner] Goliath in the race today because everyone was expecting a lot of pace, but I have no regrets now seeing how the race was run.

"Aidan and his team put a lot of work into the tactics and it's always interesting, but Calandagan is an easy ride and I'm glad he had time to come and catch the filly."

Asked if there was ever a moment where he feared Kalpana had opened up a lead that would prove insurmountable, Graffard said: "Yes. It took him a little while to find his stride, but Mickael really helped him to balance.

"Mickael said the last 200 metres are long here and he knew he was going to catch her, but when she kicked for home she was impressive and I thought, 'Oh my God, I'm going to finish second by a neck again'."

Mickael Barzalona and Calandagan parade in front of the stands after winning the King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Barzalona, winning his first Group 1 in Britain since Sealiway triumphed in the 2021 Champion Stakes and 14 years on from winning the Derby on Pour Moi, was also taken aback with how the race unfolded, although it never caused him any serious concern.

"I didn't expect that," said the winning jockey, "but once I saw Continuous beside Jan Brueghel and Rebel's Romance boxed in, I was happy where I was because I knew either William Buick [on Rebel's Romance] was going to make a gap or Oisin on Kalpana was going to have to go around.

"I was just waiting to see what happened and when I saw Oisin making the move, I just followed. We hit a little flat spot, but when he hit top stride I thought he'd get there."

Some observers questioned the resolve of the winner having failed to run down Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, but Graffard never doubted his horse's desire to win.

"Every time we've been beaten in the past we've had excuses," said the winning trainer, whose yard in Chantilly can be counted among the best in the world right now.

"He was really far back in the Juddmonte International last year. He still quickened really strong but probably too late, and at Epsom the other day I had lots of little excuses.

"I couldn't say it was because he doesn't want to try and his jockey never reported that to me either. We know him better now and he loves good ground and this distance. I think there is no more doubt about his will to win."

Despite Calandagan's effectiveness over 1m4f, Graffard loves to compete, and the International over 1m2½f at York on August 20 now beckons.

"He's in the Juddmonte International, so why not go there?" he added. "I wouldn't mind coming back in trip and then maybe going to Japan at the end of the season, but I have to discuss it with the Aga Khan team and Princess Zahra."

If he does go to York he will likely face Delacroix, Camille Pissarro and more tactics from Ballydoyle, but with a horse as good as Calandagan, there is little to fear.

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