Andrew Balding believes he has Kalpana ‘where we want her’ as she gears up for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The Juddmonte-owned four-year-old, who is a general 5/1 chance to claim the midsummer highlight at Ascot this weekend, will step back up to a mile and a half for the first time this season, having kept on to finish third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on her reappearance before returning to the Curragh only to be edged out by Oaks runner-up Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

"Right from the start of the season we knew our main targets were from midsummer onwards and we've had to keep an eye on what is going to happen in the autumn," said Balding on Sky Sports Racing.

"The first two runs have been very much preparation runs. Going back to Ireland for the Pretty Polly Stakes was not the first choice as we were keen to go back to a mile and a half, but we just didn't want to run on fast ground.

"That's why we've had to juggle a bit with her races so far, but she seems to be really where we want her now.

"I'm really looking forward to it and hoping we get sufficient ground for her, which would be good ground essentially and if there was more rain around next week, then that would help as well."

On the importance of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Balding added: "The King George is very much one of the most important races of the year really. It's a race with a fabulous history and one with great prize money at a fantastic venue.

"It's an important race for us and an important race for British racing. You get your best middle-distance horses there, where the three-year-olds meet the older horses, throw in a couple of really good fillies as well and get the potential to have a proper race in midsummer."

Whilst Kalpana is yet to taste success in 2025, the Juddmonte-owned daughter of Study Of Man ended 2024 on the highest note, producing a power-packed performance to claim the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes following victories in the Glasgow and September Stakes.

When asked if Kalpana's improvement as a three-year-old caught Balding by surprise, he said: "Very much so. We started winning a maiden at Wolverhampton and ended up winning a Group 1 at Royal Ascot at the end of the year. That's some progression.

"We were thrilled with her and in every race, she ran, she seemed to improve.

"I hope that will be the same case this year."