Space Ship weighted to land King George V Stakes

John Gosden’s Space Ship is an interesting runner after never landing a blow at Epsom’s Derby meeting. He was held up off the pace that day and had to settle for a staying on sixth behind Pasaka Boy. A 7lbs pull in the weights should be enough to bring the two horses closer together and Space Ship could prove good value.

Bold Sniper bids to provide Her Majesty The Queen with a Royal Ascot winner in the closing race on Thursday. Sir Michael Stoute’s progressive colt has won his last two races in good style but must overcome a 9lbs rise in the handicap.

There has been good support for Brian Meehan’s Eshtiaal, a colt by Dynaformer who is on a hat-trick. He was an easy winner at Yarmouth and has been raised 9lbs for that effort.

Andrew Balding’s Soviet Rock is seeking a four-timer after two victories at Newmarket. He made all of the running to beat hot favourite Hillstar in April and repeated the dose again last month.

Salutation is one of four runners from Mark Johnston’s stable. His effort petered out in the Epsom race won by Pasaka Boy but he put up a much better effort when beaten half a length by Ningara at Sandown. Johnston’s best chance may lie with Royal Skies, the mount of Joe Fanning.

He has won his last two races by a combined distance of fifteen lengths. They were only moderate affairs at Pontefract and Hamilton but there is no telling how much he had in hand. He is only up 4lbs for his latest victory and must go well here.

The top two in the weights are both trained by Saeed bin Suroor. Cap O’Rushes is ridden by Mickael Barzalona with Silvestre de Sousa on Excellent Result. The latter is a son of Shamardal and he romped home by seven lengths from Number One London in a maiden race at Sandown last time out.

Hughie Morrison’s Another Cocktail and the Eve Johnson-Houghton-trained Spillway are others to consider in another wide-open race.