3.40 5f. 17 Declared. King's Stand Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Class 1 ) of £627,500.00 3-y-o plus
1st - €355,855.00 2nd - €134,912.00 3rd - €67,519.00 4th - €33,634.00 5th - €16,879.00 6th - €8,471.00
Formscan - The King's Stand serves up a fascinating contest, with 19 runners from four different countries lining up to wage war over the minimum trip. Highfield Princess completed a Group 1 hat-trick last term and gave a good account when conceding weight all round to finish runner-up in the Duke Of York Stakes last time out. The six-year-old mare is a worthy favourite, but marginal preference goes to the progressive MANACCAN, who could have more to come. Despite being drawn away from the winner, the John Ryan-trained colt took another step forward to finish third in the Palace House Stakes and he may go close on this preferred sounder surface. Coolangatta arrives after claiming Group 1 honours at Flemington and is worthy of consideration, while Twilight Gleaming finished second over course and distance in the Queen Mary in 2021 and completes the shortlist.