SPEAKING of tradition and wanting to win historic prizes (Olympics?), next week’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes was once the jewel of the summer races. The clash of the generations.

This year’s race has a bit of an underwhelming appearance to it.

On form, Postponed stands head and shoulders above his rivals and it would be a notable achievement if joining Dahlia and Swain as the only dual winners in the last 40 years. But there is little strength in depth in the race.

Ajman Bridge, Almodovar, Elite Army, Erupt, Exosphere, The Grey Gatsby, Second Step, Western Hymn, and Beautiful Romance don’t compare favourably with the Group 1 and classic winners of past years that had the King George as their main port of call.

Ballydoyle look likely to be represented by Highland Reel and Sir Isaac Newton. The latter steps up in class and distance and tough and admirable as he is, Highland Reel has still to win a Group 1 in Europe.

You can’t but think it is a missed opportunity for possibly one of the top (on ratings as well as impressions) horses of the season, Order Of St George. He would have been a fascinating contender. There would still be plenty of time to give him a break and train him for the Irish St Leger and Arc.