Royal Ascot 2015: King George V Stakes preview (17.35)

Taper Tantrum was a big eye-catcher last time out and looks decent value to land the 1m 4f King George V Stakes which brings the action to a close on day three of Royal Ascot.

The Michael Bell-trained colt showed useful form as a juvenile when winning two of his three starts, showing a good attitude on handicap debut at Windsor when battling on gamely to score by a short-head.

Taper Tantrum looked the type who would progress further as a three-year-old when stepped up in trip, and confirmed that view on seasonal reappearance when third of 13 to Stravagante in a decent 1m 2f contest at Epsom.

After being held-up off the pace, Taper Tantrum made good headway when switched out two from home and stayed on strongly to be beaten 4 3/4 lengths despite appearing not to handle the tracks unique undulations.

It was a very encouraging performance and one which suggested Taper Tantrum’s current mark of 85 is exploitable.

The return to a flatter track is also a big plus, as is the further step up in trip, and from a good draw in stall five everything looks in place for a big run.

King Bolete has a progressive profile and rates a big danger.

The colt is a typical improver from the Luca Cumani yard and made it two wins from four starts when readily winning a 15-runner handicap at Newbury by 3/4 of a length last time out.

After being held-up in mid division, King Bolette ran on strongly to score with more in hand than the winning margin suggests and the front to pulled five lengths clear of the third to give the form a strong look.

Although hit with a 9lb rise for that success, the son of Cape Cross is clearly going the right way and remains open to significant improvement.