The mid-summer showpiece at Ascot arrives this weekend with the premier all-aged event, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes being run.  Robbed of the ante-post favourite and Derby winning Authorized this contest still smacks of class and this quality is held in abundance by Aiden O’Brien’s Scorpion.  The Ballydoyle colt is an extremely talented individual as he has shown by winning such events as the Grand Prix de Paris, St Leger and most recently the Coronation Cup at Epsom.  He is a quirky sort to say the least but does handle soft ground and has true Group One form, which is lacking in some of his opponents. The opening contest on King George day is the listed Kleenex Winkfield Stakes over 7F.  Henry Cecil is having a resurgence this season and can capture this event with Newmarket maiden winner Unnefer.  Running in the colours of the Niarchos family he strode clear over the distance at the July course with ease and although the form of that race gives mixed messages he should still be classy enough to score.  The second running of the Skybet York Stakes is the main event on the Knavesmere card this Saturday.  The going is sure to be sticky at best and it will need a horse who truly handles these conditions as well as having ability to claim this prize.  Godolphin’s Winged Cupid fits the bill here and should give a good account of himself.  He showed high level form for Mark Johnston (including on Heavy ground) before bolting up on his first start for new connections after a year off.

Selections: 2.00 Ascot – 8 Unnefer

                                                                     4.20 Ascot – 5 Scorpion