King George tips: Masquerade Ball backed to reverse form with Calandagan at Ascot
Ahead of a superb day of racing at Ascot, Kate Tracey was joined by Sam Boswell and Declan Rix - who both offered their views on the 2026 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes; Watch the full episode of Weekend Winners on the At The Races YouTube channel.
Friday 24 July 2026 13:25, UK
With the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes upon us, Kate Tracey quizzed Declan Rix and Sam Boswell on the big race on the latest episode of Weekend Winners.
Nine runners are set to line up in the Saturday feature overall, with last season's winner Calandagan back to defend his crown - won at the expense of the reopposing Kalpana last term. Masquerade Ball arrives from Japan also looking to exact revenge on the Aga Khan champion, having been denied by the finest margins on home soil in the Japan Cup.
Aidan O'Brien fields four runners, headlined by Irish Derby hero Benvenuto Cellini and 2025 Arc runner-up Minnie Hauk, whilst 2024 King George winner Goliath seeks to win back his crown under Christophe Soumillon.
Declan Rix:
"Last year's race was run to suit Calandagan - if you were ever going to set up a 12-furlong race on fast ground for him, you're going to go no gallop because this lad has 10-furlong top class gears. I couldn't believe how badly Ballydoyle got the tactics wrong.
"I don't think this year's race will set up like that, with Action and Lambourn going forward to turn this into a proper test for Minnie Hauk and Benvenuto Cellini. Whether that suits Calandagan as well, I've just got that little thing in the back of my mind that a 12-furlong strong run end-to-end gallop could drag the class and change of gear out of him.
"However, he is the best horse in here. He's older, stronger and just as good this season - though that's maybe over-egging the pudding as he had that poor run at Epsom earlier this season."
Sam Boswell:
"It was a huge effort from Calandagan to go into the opposition's back yard and do it [in the Japan Cup]. You can make strong cases for either him or Masquerade Ball [on Saturday] but at the prices I'm going to lean towards Masquerade Ball.
"He was getting a bit of weight that day but was the younger horse who has aged up a little bit. The track is the unknown for the Japanese horse, isn't it? How has he travelled over? There was a media day in Newmarket on Wednesday and both Japanese horses looked well, with the trainer so enthused about being here.
"When I was looking at this yesterday, we were getting a bit of 9/2 - 7/2 is as short as I'd want to go. Calandagan has made me look silly throughout the course of this show, we know the ground and track are perfect for him. However, if I can get 4/1 about Masquerade Ball I'll be taking him on."
Watch Weekend Winners in full on the At The Races YouTube channel.
