Group Two King Edward VII Stakes Guide 2022

Andy Smith | @AndySmithRacing

Ascot - June 16 2022
Ascot 16:35
2(4)
Kevin Stott

Dark Moon Rising

J: Kevin Stott
T: Kevin Ryan
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 102
Days: 36

Well beaten on debut as a 2 year old by Lusail, Kevin Ryan’s charge got off the mark at the second time as asking as a juvenile when stepped up to 7 furlongs.

He just failed to shoulder his penalty for success in a novice race over a mile and ended the season shaping well in a decent 1 mile handicap.

Starting life this season over a mile he nicely scored on debut before some decent runs at a higher level. Coming 4th in a listed race at Nottingham before filling the same spot in the Dante Stakes behind Desert Crown.

Shaping like a step up in trip will suit him, this first try at 12 furlongs might just draw out the necessary improvement.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
23/09/23AYR13GS9-78
25/08/23YOR12GF9-38
29/07/23YOR12Gd9-131
14/07/23YOR10.5GS9-133
06/05/23THI8Sft9-010
Ascot - June 16 2022
Ascot 16:35
1(3)
Ryan Moore

Changingoftheguard

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 110
Days: 13

An improving 3 year old colt for Aidan O’Brien, Changingoftheguard will be putting the form of the Derby to task here.
Unable to score as a 2 year old despite having three runs, the son of Galileo hit form this season.

eturning with an emphatic win over 10 furlongs at Dundalk on the all weather and backing that up with a lethal display at Chester.

Showing his stamina to make all the running and burn his rivals off from the front to score the Chester Vase easily.

Last seen running in the Derby only 11 days ago, he ran a good race from the front and held on to be 5th. Just wilting late on from his exuberant start.

He brings some of the best form to the table here if he can back up so soon after his run in the Epsom classic.

Ascot - June 16 2022
Ascot 16:35
6(2)
James Doyle

Savvy Victory

J: James Doyle
T: S Woods
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 95
Days: 34

Despite having four outings as a juvenile, Savvy Victory failed to record a win last season for Sean Woods.

Being campaigned over 7 furlongs to a mile, he ran well enough in defeat a few times but failed to get his head in front.
Returning this season over 10 furlongs saw him to better effect and he broke his maiden nicely at Pontefract on soft ground.

Upped in grade and trip off the back of that he couldn’t live with Changingoftheguard at Chester and trailed home a well beaten 3rd of 4.

Last seen being swept aside by Ottoman Empire, he filled the 3rd place spot again. Staying on well enough but never looking threatening.

Moving back up in trip should suit but he looks well held on form with those rivals.

Ascot - June 16 2022
Ascot 16:35
4(6)
Tom Marquand

Lysander

J: Tom Marquand
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 100
Days: 28

William Haggas’ Lysander only made a single appearance last year and shaped well on deep ground to be 3rd in novice company over a mile.

Put away for the winter off the back of that he broke his maiden in fine fashion over 10 furlongs. Showing good stamina and a smart turn of foot to make all the running and bound clear of the field easily on the all weather.

Last seen in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood, he was narrowly beaten by Lionel and came 3rd. Staying on handsomely all the way to the line.

He seems best on softer ground and hasn’t faced rattling fast conditions yet. The trip will suit but he’s unproven on a quick surface.

Ascot - June 16 2022
Ascot 16:35
3(1)
Daniel Tudhope

Grand Alliance

J: Daniel Tudhope
T: Charlie Fellowes
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 98
Days: 13

Not debuting till December last year, Grand Alliance got going late in life and took 3 attempts to break his maiden. Finding 8.5 and 9.5 furlongs too sharp, he got his head in front when moved to handicap company over 10 furlongs.

He then ran a stormer to be 2nd behind Nahaani in a listed Derby Trial at Epsom. Staying on well but not quite reaching the winner.

He was last seen being well outclassed in the Derby coming home in 11th. Getting slightly worked up before the off didn’t help his chances.

Likely to be wanting for quality again.

Ascot - June 16 2022
Ascot 16:35
5(5)
William Buick

Ottoman Fleet

J: William Buick
T: Charlie Appleby
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: N/A
Days: 34

The lethal combination of William Buick and Charlie Appleby team up with Ottoman Fleet. The son of Sea The Stars only made his debut in April of this year and was just held off by stablemate Natural World in a tight finish.

The form being franked by Lionel since, who was back in 3rd, Ottoman Fleet stepped up into listed company and broke his maiden over 10 furlongs smartly. Just getting the better of Zain Sarinda in the final 110 yards.

Going up in trip looks like it’ll suit and his debut effort has worked out well form wise. Very likely to be in the mix.