Dark Issue firm in Princess Margaret market as King George meeting prepares to start at Ascot

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes meeting at Ascot is set to get under way, with the main event scheduled for 3.35pm BST on 25 July 2026. In the Princess Margaret race Richard Hannon’s Dark Issue is the clear market leader at about 100-30 while Moonrise and Alta Regina are both around 5-1.

This live coverage arrives as the Ascot card builds towards its feature race. On the way to post for the Princess Margaret, Dark Issue has emerged as the strongest betting proposition, while Moonrise and Alta Regina trail as the next most favoured entries. The event is being reported on the day and readers are invited to share their views with Greg via email at greg.wood@theguardian.com.

Traders and on-course observers had pushed Dark Issue to roughly 100-30 ahead of the Princess Margaret, signalling strong support for Richard Hannon’s runner. The two horses listed behind — Moonrise and Alta Regina — are both quoted at 5-1, reflecting the market’s view of the most likely challengers. Those figures set the tone for an intriguing juvenile contest as the meeting advances.

Among the entries connected to the headline attraction is Benvenuto Cellini, named as a King George contender. That designation positions the horse among the runners linked to the day’s flagship event, which has drawn attention from owners, trainers and punters alike. No further details on other entrants are supplied here, but Benvenuto Cellini’s presence is a notable point in the build-up.

The meeting’s timetable places the main King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes event at 3.35pm BST, giving punters and followers a clear marker for the day’s climax. Ascot’s card has been organised around that scheduled start, with earlier races — including the Princess Margaret — acting as the undercard to the central fixture. Coverage continues as the afternoon progresses and markets evolve.

For those following along, the invitation to feed observations to Greg remains open via greg.wood@theguardian.com. With the main race approaching and the juvenile market showing clear leaders, attention will shift to race tactics and final declarations as the meeting moves towards its peak.