What a Group 1 Race We Have To Savour

We have a fantastic day’s racing in store today, the second day of Betfair weekend, with the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) the headline race and due off at 4.35pm.

It is a race that is looking as though it will not only one of the Group 1 races of this year’s British Flat season, but also of the international racing calendar with many of the world’s leading middle-distance turf horses in the line up.

Of the 10-runner field, six have travelled to Ascot from abroad, with the furthest jet setter being the Japanese-trained runner Deep Brillant; the mileage the horse has had to travel has not been listed in the Racing Post’s “furthest travellers to Ascot” slot.

A case can be made for so many of the runners. Race favourite Nathaniel is bidding to make it back-to-back wins in the race and was impressive last time out when winning the Eclipse Stakes (G1); the improving Sea Moon, second in the Breeders’ Cup (G1) to St Nicholas Abbey last year, beat Dunaden when taking the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot; St Nicholas Abbey is coming here in the peak of form after winning the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Epsom and finishing second to the top performer Cirrus Des Aigles at Meydan in March.

The hard-knocking Dunaden, the Melbourne Cup (G1) winner last November, put in his best race so far when second to Sea Moon here, and while this season Danedream has not rediscovered her winning Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) form, she is a high class filly and the winner of three Group 1s.

The Japanese raider could be anything. Winner of the Tokyo Yushun (the Japanese Derby), he gets a serious three-year-olds weight allowance and is by Deep Impact, who is developing into one of the most exciting young stallions in the world.

Making up the rest of the field is last year’s Prix du Jockey-Club (G1) (French Derby) winner Reliable Man, who was fourth in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1) at the Royal meeting; the Michael Owen-owned Brown Panther, winner at last year’s Royal Ascot, a runner-up in the St Leger (G1) and a Listed winner in June; Masked Marvel, winner of last year’s St Leger (G1) and, finally, Robin Hood, who is fulfilling pace making duties.
In total, the field has already won an amazing 14 Group 1 races between them.

Which horse will be the one to make it 15?

With the sun having at last appeared and the ground turning good, there will be no excuses for any runner and we are guaranteed a thrilling race. If looking to steer away from the race favourite, then St Nicholas Abbey, a 9-2 chance at writing, might be a bet worth having.

Whatever your fancy, this is going to be a race to savour.

Day 21 of the Ascot Racecourse Facebook Advent Calendar

The festive season is now upon us and Ascot Racecourse would like to spread some festive cheer amongst all of our loyal fans. For 24 days we will be offering you the chance to win some fantastic prizes donated to us by some very kind companies.

We are now into our top 5 prizes and today one person could be in with a chance of winning a £250 bet (Over 18’s Only) plus a Paul Nicholls Winter Warmer Gillet Fleeces and 4 runners up will also win a fleece courtesy of our sponsors Betfair. This is your chance to put your betting skills into practice!

To be in with a chance of winning this prize, all you need to do is 'Like' us on Facebook and answer the following question.

In the 12 days of Christmas, what did my true love give to me on the seventh day?


Send your name, address and answer under the subject heading 'Christmas Day 21' to facebook@ascot.co.uk for your chance to win our first prize!

If you're not so lucky why not visit http://www.betfair.com/ and join the world’s biggest betting community. You’ll have the opportunity to bet on your favourite sports, try your chance in the live casino and have a go on your favourite arcade games. Betfair is committed to endorsing the responsible gambling campaign.

Day 20 Prize Winner is Jack Milne from Huddersfield. Congratulations!

Ascot Racecourse Advent Calendar Terms & Conditions

1. Competition closes at 11.59pm on Wednesday 21st December.

2. Competition only open to 'fans' of Ascot Racecourse on Facebook.

3. These terms and conditions apply to all competitions on Facebook (unless and to the extent that) the competition states otherwise.

4. Unless otherwise specified, competition open to UK and Republic Of Ireland residents aged 18 or over except employees of Ascot Racecourse Ltd, Ascot Hospitality, and their associated, affiliated or subsidiary companies.

5. No cash alternative is available and all prizes are non-transferable and non-refundable. Prizes are not for resale and cannot be used for commercial use or use in further promotions.

6. The prize winners will be selected at random by Ascot Racecourse Ltd. Their decision is final in every situation, including any not covered, above and no correspondence will be entered into.

7. The winner(s) will be notified by 6pm on Thursday 22nd December of their prize.

8. Ascot Racecourse Ltd will not pass your personal details to any other organisation without your permission, except for the purpose of awarding your prize if necessary.

9. Use of false name or address, i.e. name, by which the entrant is not usually known, will disqualify them from receiving any prize. All entrants will be notified by e-mail. Ascot Racecourse Ltd can only reply to the e-mail address supplied and cannot be responsible for any change of e-mail address.

10. We reserve the right to amend these rules at any time.

11. Prizes will be sent within 28 days after the competition closes.

12. One entry per household per day.

13. If a prize is not claimed within 28 days it will be offered to another entrant.

14. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.Promoter: Ascot Racecourse Ltd, Ascot, Berkshire. SL5 7JX

Prize Terms and Conditions
1. In order to receive the bet you will need to have a Betfair Account or create one.

2. You must be over the age of 18 to win the bet.