I get the impression the Jockey Club don’t want to move the King George from its traditional Boxing Day date. It is quite well set in people’s minds. If it was transferred to a movable date on the Saturday before Christmas, it might lose some of its identity and appeal.
Wouldn’t an Ascot King George be even more of a stamina test than Sandown? The climb from Swinley Bottom to the straight on very soft ground would put stamina at a premium.
As for Epsom, I wouldn’t have minded on money being spent if the new stand was better – but it isn’t. The old stand might not have been pretty but it was functional and provided for a great view, especially if you went right to the top.