3:35 Ascot
The 2026 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a high-class Group 1 over 1m3f211y at Ascot on good to firm ground. A compact but select field of nine features several high-class performers with strong recent form, including multiple winners at the trip and course specialists. The KTB numbers highlight Calandagan as the clear top pick with a 73 Fit rating, well clear of Minnie Hauk, Goliath and Kalpana who sit between 59 and 62.
How the race shapes up
With several prominent runners in the field, including Calandagan from draw 7 and Minnie Hauk drawn low, the pace shape looks likely to be on the steady side early before the race develops in the straight. Goliath and Kalpana can also race handy, while the younger horses Benvenuto Cellini and Action may be asked to come from slightly further back. The key question is whether the leaders can dictate matters or if the race will be decided by a strong middle-section gallop that plays into the hands of those with proven stamina at the trip.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Calandagan KTB Selection73/100High-class performer with a strong record here, winning three of four starts at Ascot.
- 2Minnie Hauk62/100High-class performer with a solid record and strong course connections at Ascot.
- 3Goliath61/100Smart performer who has won over this trip on six occasions from 15 starts and looks well suited by the distance again.
- 4Kalpana59/100Kalpana is a high-class performer with solid course form, having won two of her five starts at Ascot.
- 5Masquerade Ball59/100Masquerade Ball is a high-class performer with a solid recent record of 3212-2 that includes two placed efforts at today's trip.
- 6Benvenuto Cellini52/100Smart performer who has won four of his seven starts including both outings this season.
- 7Lambourn50/100Smart performer who has won twice at this trip.
- 8Wurttemberg48/100Smart performer who showed useful form when runner-up on his most recent start.
- 9Action48/100Smart performer who has mixed form this year, finishing second in a Group 3 at Leopardstown before two lesser efforts.
The contenders
Calandagan KTB Fit 73/100
Calandagan stands out as a high-class performer with a formidable record at Ascot, where he has won three of his four starts. He has won six times from nine runs at today's trip and boasts three wins from four on good to firm ground, fitting the conditions perfectly. The five-year-old arrives in excellent order with recent form figures of 11-141 that underline his continued progression. Trainer F-H Graffard posts a 16% strike rate at the track from 45 runs while Mickael Barzalona takes the mount. His ability to travel strongly and quicken off a good pace makes him ideally suited to the likely shape of this race.
Minnie Hauk KTB Fit 62/100
Minnie Hauk is a high-class performer with a solid overall record and strong course connections at Ascot, where she has been placed on her only run. She has won four of six starts at today's trip, including on good to firm ground where she is two from two for placed efforts. The four-year-old steps up in distance today having last run over 1m2f, which could bring further improvement. Trainer A P O'Brien holds a 14% strike rate at Ascot from 917 runs and Wayne Lordan is in the saddle. Her proven ability to handle the track and trip positions her as a major player if the extra furlong suits.
Goliath KTB Fit 61/100
Goliath is a smart performer who has won over this trip on six occasions from 15 starts and looks well suited by the distance again. He has already won once at Ascot from three runs and handles good to firm ground, with a placed effort on four of his five starts on it. Recent form of 03-213 shows consistency at a high level. The trainer posts a solid 16% strike rate at the track from 45 runners while Christophe Soumillon takes the ride. His experience and proven course record give him every chance of figuring prominently once more.
Kalpana KTB Fit 59/100
Kalpana is a high-class performer with solid course form, having won two of her five starts at Ascot. She has won at today's trip four times from nine attempts and is placed on both starts on good to firm, though without a win on that ground. The first-time headgear is an unknown on a horse who has been in good recent form with figures of 271-12. Trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Colin Keane team up, the pair boasting a 36% strike rate together from 42 runs. Her course wins and recent progression suggest she remains a live contender if the headgear has the desired effect.
The rest of the field
Masquerade BallKTB Fit 59/100
Masquerade Ball is a high-class performer with a solid recent record of 3212-2 that includes two placed efforts at today's trip. He has won twice from seven starts on good to firm ground and steps up in distance again today having been placed both times he has tried it. The yard has no recorded runs at Ascot.
Benvenuto CelliniKTB Fit 52/100
Benvenuto Cellini is a smart performer who has won four of his seven starts including both outings this season. He has already scored at today's trip and his Ascot form reads well. Trainer Aidan O'Brien has a solid 14% strike rate here from a huge sample while Ryan Moore is aboard, though the colt remains unproven on good to firm.
LambournKTB Fit 50/100
Lambourn is a smart performer who has won twice at this trip. He has been below his best on his last two starts and was well beaten on his only previous run here. Trainer Aidan O'Brien holds a solid 14% strike-rate at the track.
WurttembergKTB Fit 48/100
Wurttemberg is a smart performer who showed useful form when runner-up on his most recent start. Dropping back from 2m to 1m3f poses a fresh question while the lightly-raced profile means his effectiveness on good to firm remains unknown. Oisin Murphy takes the ride but the trainer has no recorded runners at Ascot.
ActionKTB Fit 48/100
Action is a smart performer who has mixed form this year, finishing second in a Group 3 at Leopardstown before two lesser efforts. He has shown he handles good to firm but remains winless at this trip from two attempts. Trainer Aidan O'Brien holds a solid 14 percent strike rate at Ascot from a large sample.
KTB verdict
Calandagan emerges as the KTB Selection with the highest Fit rating and an outstanding record at both Ascot and the trip. His three wins from four starts at the track, coupled with six wins from nine at 1m4f and a strong record on good to firm, make him the one to beat. Minnie Hauk and Goliath look the most obvious dangers given their own high-class form and course experience, while Kalpana cannot be dismissed if the first-time headgear unlocks further progress.
KTB Selection Calandagan
This is the narrative read of the 3:35 Ascot. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Ascot racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse has won the most times at today's trip?
Calandagan has won six times from nine runs at today's trip.
How many wins has Calandagan recorded at Ascot?
Calandagan has won three of his four starts at Ascot.
What is the significance of the first-time headgear on Kalpana?
The first-time headgear is an unknown on a horse who has been in good recent form.
Which runner is stepping up in distance from 1m2f?
Minnie Hauk steps up in distance today having last run over 1m2f.
How many wins has Goliath recorded over this trip?
Goliath has won over this trip on six occasions from 15 starts.
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