Time For A Cool Bet On The King George Despite The Heat

Posted: July 27, 2018

Updated: July 27, 2018

When it comes to open-age flat racing there's nothing quite like the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, indeed a bet on the King George, as it's often called, is another of those traditional little flutters in which the British like to indulge each summer, and despite the sweltering heatwave they're weathering it seems there's another great race on the cards, but with such a distinguished field which of the runners and riders should you back at Ascot on Bet365 this weekend? We take a look.

Can Desert Encounter beat the heat and those 50/1 odds to place?

Will Cracksman get enough rain to run in the King George?

Should you back Crystal Ocean to win the King George at 9/4?

Is Coronet the perfect 10/1 bet on the King George?

It was an awfully British idea. Simply amalgamate a couple of races that already exist and create a mile and a half dash for any horse at least three years old, instantly putting Ascot on the international racing map in the July run up to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Major John Crocker Bulteel, who brought it to fruition, saw the first incarnation of his concept run in 1951 in celebration of the then “Festival Of Britain” and ever since a bet on the King George has been part of a British gambler's landscape. Bookies like Bet365, one of the best online betting sites in the UK, will see an uptick in takers the nearer post time gets, the commentators on television reminding us of that classic battle twixt Grundy and Bustino, throwing the term “Race of the Century” around as if it were going out of fashion and the crowds that'll gather will slowly melt in temperatures the Great British public simply aren't used to. It remains to be seen, of course, if the horses will fair any better and which will find the heat too much.

A Bet On The King George Is A British Summer Tradition

Certainly the track has needed watering, and whilst there's the prospect of a little rain before the race, Cracksman is now doubtful because of just how good-to-firm the going might be in these parched times, and this on top of Kew Gardens already being pulled from the starting line up due to “poor scope”. Naturally Ascot is talking up the chances of rain, of the ground softening before the off, but given how dry the ground has become this summer, it would have to be quite the deluge to help. Those planning to take advantage of UK gambling laws this weekend then should definitely keep one eye on the skies, the changing conditions could well rule out some and rule in others right up to Post. Naturally the bookies like Bet365 are all well aware of this and have been keeping some of their cards very close to their chest, but there's still plenty of room to make a winning bet on the King George this weekend, so lets take a look at the odds that are being offered on this years talent-packing field.

Bet On The King George At Bet365 This Weekend

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes

The Pentagon – 66/1

Desert Encounter – 50/1

Rostropovich – 25/1

Salouen – 20/1

Idaho – 16/1

Hydrangea – 16/1

Coronet – 10/1

Cracksman – 11/4

Crystal Ocean – 9/4

Poets Word – 2/1

With Kew Gardens out, taking with it the 5/1 bookies like Bet365 were offering on it, and The Pentagon at 66/1 perhaps marks where hope meets reality in terms of odds for your bet on the King George, although Desert Encounter is a far better outside wager at 50/1, especially each way. Rostropovich has drifted out to 25/1 whilst Salouen has closed up to 20/1 on news of that possibility of rain, and Hydrangea runs at the same 16/1 price as Idaho would garner if were going to run. Of course many of those planning to bet on sports in the UK this weekend may choose to plump for Coronet at 10/1, which is a great bet on the King George, however it falls a little short of the 11/4 you can get on the doubtful Cracksman, way short of the 9/4 Crystal Ocean is attracting online. Top of the odds, however, is Poets Word at just 2/1 and firm favorite, however with the weather so out of sorts this could well be one King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes the bookies like Bet365 can't predict.