The end of July heralds the imminent arrival of Britain’s premier 12 fur. and 8 fur. open Group 1 events, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Qipco) at Ascot on Saturday (July 29^th) and the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday (August 2^nd) respectively. Recent rain means that ground conditions could be on the soft side of good.

Both events are scheduled to be flagged off at 3:35 p.m. BST (8:05 p.m. IST) on their respective afternoons, an ideal time for viewers and listeners in India. Several of the highest rated runners and riders in training are engaged and this should provide for some absorbing sport.

There are ten Thoroughbreds declared for the 77^th renewal of the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which include the defending champion, Highland Reel (by Galileo), whose Coolmore connections are anticipating the addition of the substantial sum of £652,165 to his existing bank balance of £5,974,719 garnered from 23 valiant efforts in 6 different countries. Not to mention the increase in stud value that would result!

A 10 to 3 chance, Highland Reel has won both his starts in England in 2017 and shapes as a live threat here, where he is expected to be well up with the pace. As usual, the world’s leading jockey, Ryan Moore, partners the five-year-old for the world’s leading trainer, Aidan O’Brien.

The irrepressible Frankie Dettori worked hard to regain full physical fitness after an injury so that he could partner Enable (by Nathaniel) in the Darley Irish Oaks just a couple of weeks ago. He is undertaking yet more exertion so as to be able to make the 8 stone 7 pounds weight assignment here on the same filly, who is in excellent form and is the public choice at 5 to 4 in the betting market. The Italian, whose natural body weight is said to be 9 stone 9 pounds, has had his appetite sated – in racing terms – with four victories in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes but is hungry again since it has been a while since the last of this quartet scored – way back in 2004. In real life, Dettori has complained of hunger as he strives to reduce his weight on a “boring” diet of fish, vegetables and water.

Enable, a Juddmonte home-bred three-year-old filly whose sire won this very race in 2011, has been brought along patiently by the in-form John Gosden, who waited a while after her last effort before confirming her participation. The master of Clarehaven Stables also trained Taghrooda (by Sea The Stars), the most recent three-year-old filly to annex this event when she triumphed in 2014.

Gosden is double-handed here as in addition to the favourite, he fields Jack Hobbs (by Halling), virtually as good a 12-furlongs runner as any currently in training anywhere. After hitting his rivals for a six in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, Jack Hobbs was out for a duck in his most recent innings, where he was last of eight. That debacle was laid at the hands of the prevailing firm going and with the current softer surface expected to suit, he has been the subject of much support with 10 to 1 having contracted sharply to around fives.

Sir Michael Stoute is known for developing his wards gradually and sends out the superbly-bred improving type Ulysses (by Galileo), who has progressed in admirable fashion to become a Group 1 winner. That distinction was gained in the Coral Eclipse Stakes three weeks ago, immediately prior to which he had been unable to reel in Highland Reel at Royal Ascot. The Niarchos homebred could be an interesting “each way” play at 15 to 2.

Judging by a ranking based on ratings, the only other runner with a smidgeon of a chance is Highland Reel’s full brother (and stablemate), Idaho (by Galileo) with Seamie Heffernan up. Last year, before his unfortunate fall in the St. Leger, he looked headed for the big time, but his next two starts proved insipid. He roared back to prominence when taking home the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, over the same course and distance, five weeks ago. Odds of 14 to 1 can be had.

Fast forward four days and a bunch of star milers will aim to shine on the limestone-rich downs of “Glorious Goodwood”. This far out, it’s impossible to say how many will run as the declaration stage has not yet been reached at the time of writing. Fifteen have accepted for the Qatar Sussex Stakes, almost evenly divided between the older brigade (eight) and the current classic crop (seven). Roly Poly (by War Front), who has excelled at the trip, is the sole filly involved.

There is a hot favourite in the Richard Fahey-trained Godolphin hope, Ribchester (by Iffraaj), coming off a scintillating win in the Queen Anne Stakes. A model of consistency, the four-year-old was beaten a mere neck plus a short-head last year in this very same event, and clearly aims to do better this time. However, the short price – around evens – seems to provide insufficient value. William Buick is his “go-to” rider.

The other Godolphin rider, James Doyle, looks to have a great chance astride the Richard Hannon-schooled Barney Roy (by Excelebration). The three-year-old, who is in receipt of 7 pounds, has been in terrific form this term and – provided he does not feel the after effects of a hard-fought narrow defeat in the 10 fur. Coral Eclipse Stakes at the hands of Ulysses – could provide a nice touch at 9 to 2.

Barney Roy had also finished second in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket back in May, a length behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained Coolmore hope, Churchill (by Galileo). The latter’s flop show in the St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he was fourth to the first-named, was mystifying. One is left with interpreting that run as either (a) a signal that he is training off, or (b) one of the baffling “off” days that racehorses sometime have – after all, horses can’t talk! With Ryan Moore at the controls, Churchill is quoted at 15 to 8 in this version of the “Battle of Britain”. Incidentally, the same connections scored in 2016 with The Gurkha (by Galileo).

The only other runner available at single digit odds is last year’s Prix Jean Prat winner, the French-trained Zelzal (by Sea The Stars), generally an 8 to 1 shot. Al Shaqab Racing’s four-year-old from Jean-Claude Rouget’s yard in Pau, Southern France, is likely to have Gregory Benoist on top.

Finally, Lancaster Bomber (by War Front) has run within a couple of lengths of the best of his contemporaries on several occasions. He is presently at 14 to 1, but should some of the principals defect, or run below form, he could be there to pick up the pieces.