The English weather, that staple of conversation in the country, has been rather hot of late, having this week reached what is likely to prove to have been its midsummer peak, but cooler weather lies ahead. The next few days will see the running of the country's premier 12 fur. and 8 fur. open Group 1 tests, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Qipco) at Ascot on Saturday (July 23^rd) and the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday (July 27^th) respectively. Good to firm ground conditions are thus likely.

Just seven have accepted for the former, due off at 4:30 p.m. BST (9:00 p.m. IST) and it's disappointing to have to record that the ante-post favourite, Postponed (by Dubawi) has had to be withdrawn due to a respiratory infection. The highest-rated runner in the field is the Queen's Dartmouth (also by Dubawi), who has been supplemented by his astute trainer, Sir Michael Stoute.

The four-year-old scored over course and distance last time – in the Hardwicke Stakes – and thus is proven over the track. What's more, his trainer has demonstrated that he possesses supreme command over the skill necessary to fine-tune a runner to win this race, as is evidenced by no less than five previous mentions of his name on its scroll of honour. Dartmouth thus has every chance to give Her Majesty what would be a treasured victory in a race commemorating her parents. Ace French rider Olivier Peslier will continue his association with the bay, a 2 to 1 shot.

A race of this nature is sure to have one or more Coolmore hopes aiming both for the rich prize (£689,027 to the winner) and the reputation that comes with winning it – a vital credential in the chancy business of "making stallions". In fact, the Ballydoyle Stable which houses the bulk of their runners ships over a pair from Co. Tipperary in Ireland.

These are Highland Reel (by Galileo), so narrowly upended by Dartmouth in the Hardwicke, and the 3.6 million guineas yearling, the progressive Sir Isaac Newton (also by Galileo), only just ascending the mountain of achievement required to justify his exalted purchase price. The Aidan O'Brien-schooled pair are to be ridden by Ryan Moore and Seamie Heffernan, respectively, and are on offer at 5 to 2 and 14 to 1. The former could well turn the tables on his Ascot conqueror, depending on how the race pans out.

On his form in the "Arc" last term, where he was fifth, the Niarchos hope Erupt (yet another by Dubawi), trained in France, is not too far away from the level of form required to win this – if he can step up a notch. His usual partner, Stephane Pasquier, who recorded a phenomenal strike rate of 30% during the couple of seasons he rode in Western India earlier this decade, remains in charge for trainer Francis Graffard. That there is some optimism in the camp is reflected in the 5 to 1 price. 

Frankie Dettori, who has won the "King George" four times (though not since 2004) will be astride the only three-year-old in the field, Wings Of Desire (by Pivotal), a remote fourth in the Epsom Derby behind Harzand. This contender's only hope is that four career starts have not yet revealed his true benchmark, and that thus he has more to offer. Judged on his best public form alone, he has little chance and it's the rider's presence that has made him as short as 7 to 2. 

Four days later it will be the turn of the milers to hold centre stage in a race that goes off at 3:10 p.m. BST (7:40 p.m. IST). There is a bit of guesswork involved here as to how many will run, given that the declarations are not in at the time of writing. No more than fourteen of the fifty originally engaged in the Qatar Sussex Stakes at "Glorious Goodwood" will take part. The summer festival will hopefully go down in history as the venue of Frankie Dettori's 3,000^th career victory, none of which have come in India (he has had just 7 rides in the country).

How perfect it would be if that came in the feature of the meeting! Certainly Dettori has one of his best chances aboard Qipco 2000 Guineas hero Galileo Gold (by Paco Boy), who is in rousing form. A 13 to 8 chance, the chestnut hails from the up-and-coming yard of young Hugo Palmer, who was extremely bullish: "I'm very happy with him.……..We weigh the horses every Monday and he was 15 kilograms heavy this Monday than he was the last one……It is not fat as he has had not had a day off……He is growing and getting bigger and stronger, like a bodybuilder going to the gym."

Itching for revenge is the Aidan O'Brien-trainee, The Gurkha (by Galileo), reverting to a mile after a valiant effort in the 10 fur. Coral Eclipse Stakes earlier in the month. Another three-year-old that might make the trip from Ireland is the hero of the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas in May, Awtaad (by Cape Cross), owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, and tutored by veteran Kevin Prendergast. He was last seen mixing it up with the first two mentioned in the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, where he was third.

Nor can one wholly rule out a runner which is at the pinnacle of his powers – Ribchester (by Iffraaj). Utterly consistent this season, Richard Fahey's ward has to make up some three lengths on form but could be a decent each-way prospect. There is only a little to differentiate the level of ability between the above-named sophomores and once again it will depend on which of them displays the greater flair on the day.

Finally, one must not forget that there are a number of older runners still left in. Of these Arod (by Teofilo) and Toormore (by Arakan) have both displayed the back class needed for a venture of this nature but neither has been able to replicate that form of late and their best days could well be behind them.