Torquator Tasso at Ascot

Ascot, Saturday, 23 July: A small but select field will contest the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot today (4th race/16.35 h/1.25 million pounds/2406 m). The eyes of the German fan community are on Torquator Tasso (Rene Piechulek) from the stable of Marcel Weiss.

After his disastrous season debut, the `Arc` winner made an impressive comeback at the meeting in Hamburg and won the Hansa Prize (Group 2) untouched. Today`s opponents, however, are again made of different stuff. Westover (Colin Keane) impressed in the Irish Derby (Group 1) with a seven-length triumph and is seen by the bookies ahead of Emily Upjohn (Frankie Dettori), who had to miss the Irish Oaks last weekend due to transport difficulties. Prior to that she finished second in the English Mares` Derby. Mishriff (James Doyle) narrowly missed scoring his first of the season in the Eclipse Stakes (Group 1) after coming in `far from home` in the Saudi Cup (Group 1). Broome (Ryan Moore) only saw Torquator Tassi from behind in the `Arc de Triomphe`. Pyledriver (P. McDonald) did everything right behind the winner in the Coronation Cup (Group 1).