Eight races this afternoon from Ascot are the mainstay of ITV Racing’s offering. The action from the Berkshire circuit runs from 12.40pm until 4.45pm and our in-form expert has selections through that card.
Remember you can watch every race from Ascot, as well as all UK and Irish racing, via live streaming when logged into MansionBet.
12.40 – Berkshire Community Foundation ‘Newcomers’ Maiden Stakes (7f)
Some caution for punters in the opener as these are a field of newcomers. Frankel colt Spirit Mixer looks the part on paper and represents an Andrew Balding yard with a 20 per-cent strike rate this season with two-year-olds, while John Gosden’s Kingman colt Magellan is out of a dam closely related to Derby winner Golden Horn and makes solid appeal on paper.
Tip: Spirit Mixer @ 7/2
1.15 – Berkshire Vision Nursery (6f)
Charlie Hills’ JADWAL dispatched his rivals, including the re-opposing Et Tu Brute, in clear cut fashion at Newmarket 15 days ago with a much-improved showing on his second outing. He relished the quick ground and should have more to give; ensuring he edges the more exposed Yarmouth winner Line Of Departure.
Tip: Jadwal @ 7/4
1.50 – ITV Home Of Terrestrial Racing Handicap (6f)
Champion jockey Oisin Murphy looks to hold strong claims here for the Balding team with CHIL CHIL. The Exceed And Excel filly won 3-4 in handicaps last year following wind surgery and made a pleasing return recently in second spot at Bath from this mark of 85; with fitness on her side now she can go on. Theotherside had a pair of these behind when winning at Newmarket and can maintain superiority despite the revised terms.
Tip: Chil Chil @ 11/4
2.25 – Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Celebration Handicap (1m)
David O’Meara has got SHELIR on track this summer and he can gain a deserved win after some strong efforts. He was fifth in the Buckingham Palace at the Royal Meeting in June here and last month didn’t get much luck in running when eighth in another big field. The Dark Angel gelding can benefit from this reduced field size for a trouble-free run.
Tip: Shelir @ 7/2
3.00 Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap (2m)
Northumberland Plate runner-up Australis will be popular but Roger Varian’s charge is taken on with KALOOR for in-form hand David Menuisier and Jim Crowley. He hasn’t won since his debut with Brian Meehan in 2018 but remains low-mileage and his recent Sandown run hinted he’s well worth a go at this extended trip.
Tip: Kaloor @ 4/1
3.35 – Thames Hospice Handicap (1m4f)
Frankel gelding FOX VARDY can find the target for the second time in three runs for trainer Martyn Meade. He blitzed the opposition with a wide-margin win at Newmarket on his seasonal comeback and duly went up 9lb for his next run at York. He did plenty early on and was a ½-length third in the end. This is a stronger race but with Cieren Fallon taking 3lb off he’s likely going to go close again.
Tip: Fox Vardy @ 11/2
4.10 – Alistair Haggis Memorial Handicap
Grand Bazaar and Wise Glory are both seeking to complete hat-tricks here but it might be that AL MADHAR trumps both off top-weight. Richard Hannon saw fit to aim him at York’s Dante on only his third start and while he lost his unbeaten record on the Knavesmire, the experience will stand to him. He may have the class to give weight and a beating to these.
Tip: Al Madhar @ 9/2
4.45 – Sportsable Handicap (5f)
Blue De Vega (first) just got the better of Han Solo Berger (second) at Newmarket a fortnight ago while Bays Watch is on a winning sequence now and Daschas looked ready to win again at Windsor early in the week. PRINCESS POWER also took a big step in the right direction last time at Sandown and, now 3lb below her last win-mark and with Danny Redmond taking off 5lb, this might be her day if she gets away alertly.
Tip: Princess Power @ 7/1
*All odds correct at time of writing
