King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes Tips: Rebel Can Upset Coronation Cup Rematch

The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a yearly highlight of the racing calendar. It is arguably the biggest race of the summer, preceding the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe as a keenly sought prize over 1m4f. Joe Napier previews the 2025 renewal, with the small but select field not separated by a great deal.

Calandagan and Jan Brueghel contested a fierce Coronation Cup at Epsom, with the latter digging deep into his stamina reserves to overcome the patiently ridden former. The result ensured Aidan O’Brien’s charge immediately bounced back from a disappointing return and now has five wins from six career starts. Still unexposed, and with the heart of a lion, he will likely have a strong pace to aim at, just as he likes.

That could also suit Calandagan though. Mickael Barzalona will not err from his patient riding tactics and unlike Epsom, this track is proven to suit the son of Gleneagles, as he bolted up in the King Edward VII Stakes at the royal meeting last season. A string of seconds followed, but he broke his Group 1 duck back in his homeland last time and impressively so.

Two more track and trip scorers represent the other two chances, with 2023 St Leger hero Continuous remaining one of the classiest pacemakers there’s ever been. Kalpana is, at the time of writing, a shorter price than REBEL’S ROMANCE, but Andrew Balding’s filly is yet to kick on this season after impressing towards the end of 2024.

She won the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes in supreme style last October. That was on soft ground though and the form may be up for debate, while she was put in her place by the Classic generation’s Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh latest. She probably prefers 1m4f, which she faces for the first time this season here, but looks to require a bit more.

The same may not be said of Rebel’s Romance. No horse has ever won this aged seven, but few will have had as grand a chance of doing so. The strapping gelding has claimed glory around the globe, with Group 1s secured in Germany, the USA, Dubai and Hong Kong. He is yet to win one on home territory, but his third in this last year was a great effort considering he raced up with a ludicrously frantic pace. He was the only horse to make the frame who was prominent, finishing more than six lengths ahead of any other contender who deigned to chase the leaders.

He is two from two this season in the UK too, gutsing out a 1m6f Yorkshire Cup success despite that trip likely stretching him, while he stepped back to 1m4f authoritatively when winning the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. That race has been a regular springboard to this and the form has been boosted.