Hollie Doyle: Masquerade Ball can clinch historic King George win for Japan
Whilst still recovering from injury, Hollie Doyle caught up with Simon Mapletoft to discuss a thrilling weekend of action - headlined by the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes from Ascot; Watch the race - live on Sky Sports Racing - at 3.35pm on Saturday
Friday 24 July 2026 09:01, UK
Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle reveals her thoughts on the King George at Ascot on Saturday and runs the rule over the best of the other weekend action at Ascot and York.
Momentous success on cards for Japan
Japan has held a special place in my heart since riding in Tokyo for three winters, so I'll be rooting for their superstar MASQUERADE BALL in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.35) at Ascot on Saturday.
Takahisa Tezuka's colt has unfinished business with the mighty Calandagan after losing out right on the line in the Japan Cup back in November. Since then, he has finished a gallant second to Hong Kong's Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup while the French ace has added the Sheema Classic and the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud to his amazing CV.
Whatever happens, it's going to be a thriller with Aidan O'Brien's Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini getting a lot of weight from the pair but I have a feeling that everything is in place for Masquerade Ball to give the Japanese one of their most momentous successes ever. A year younger than Calandagan and still capable of better, he can take revenge as long as the uphill finish doesn't catch him out.
- Who wins the King George? Sky Sports Racing team tips
- Does Benvenuto Cellini have what it takes to win the King George?
Moonrise can build on Royal Ascot form
MOONRISE can enhance her reputation in the big two-year-old fillies' race at Ascot, the Group 3 Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes (1.45).
Andrew Balding's daughter of Churchill took a step up in grade in her stride when finishing a close third in the Windsor Castle Stakes at the Royal Meeting and the combination of a good attitude and track form can make her hard to beat.
Richard Hannon's Dark Issue was fourth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at this track last month - form that has since been franked by the runner-up, Sun Goddess, taking a Group 2 in Ireland for Aidan O'Brien - but Oisin Murphy's filly offers better value.
Moore booking looks significant in Valiant
There is no denying that Owen Burrows' filly Touleen was unlucky in the Coronation Stakes last time when she split two Guineas winners, despite enduring such a difficult passage.
She'll be a worthy favourite for the Group 3 Longines Valiant Stakes (2.20) under William Buick, but I prefer to side with Jane Chapple-Hyam's KON TIKI with Ryan Moore another significant booking.
Open to improvement, she is more than capable of winning at this level and shouldn't find this quite as demanding at the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge when she chased home Blue Bolt for the second time this year.
Unbeaten Zain to take ultra-tough International
My husband Tom (Marquand) holds a favourite's chance in the Moet And Chandon International Handicap (2.55) at Ascot on the unbeaten EXTREMELY ZAIN, who has the potential to ply his trade in Pattern races later in the year.
He didn't enjoy the best of runs in a hot handicap at York last time but still found a way through to post an impressive success under Cieren Fallon and has the scope to defy an 8lb rise from what looks a decent draw.
This is ultra-tough though so keep an eye on Jack Channon's Mezcala, the Buckingham Palace winner for Tom who also has more to offer despite reappearing off a stiffer mark of 98.
Champion the one to beat in York feature
I am disappointed to see the Sky Bet York Stakes (2.35) at York attract only five runners, but it is a quality field, headed by the magnificent globetrotter ROYAL CHAMPION.
Karl Burke's eight-year-old has been given a well-deserved break since winning the valuable Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia and finishing fourth behind Romantic Warrior and Masquerade Ball in Hong Kong.
Tough, resilient, and capable of finding his best form fresh, Royal Champion has less to prove than Dante winner Item, who may have had ground excuses in the Epsom Derby but now needs to take a big step forward to win this Group 2.
Ryan sprinter out to build on strong Chester run
The Sky Bet Dash Handicap (2.00) at York has a wide-open feel so I'm opting for value in Kevin Ryan's locally trained WE NEVER STOP, who looks set to go off a big price in the 6f feature.
Having his second start following wind surgery, he can build on an encouraging close second at Chester last month for a trainer who excels on The Knavesmire.
I expected Addison Grey to win after chasing home the subsequent Wokingham Winner Double Rush at Newmarket, but Clive Cox's grey hasn't capitalised in two runs since. Still, an unchanged mark of 94 should see him firmly in the mix once again.
Stepping up my rehab after positive news
Since getting the go-ahead last week to begin weight bearing on my broken left leg, I have been upping my rehabilitation routine at Oaksey House in Lambourn.
I'm working out there five days a week under the supervision of an excellent team, putting in some strong sessions in the gym, on the bike and in the hydro pool with the aim of achieving more movement.
It's a long road back from the injury I sustained in a fall at Bath in May, but it feels good to finally be more active.
