There are nine races from Ascot on Saturday and the feature sees Enable bidding for an historic third win in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (3.35pm) under Frankie Dettori.
She faces a trio of Ballydoyle rivals in her quest for glory. The Ascot action is underway from 12.40pm through until 5.20pm and our tipster has fancies in all the races.
Watch all the action from Ascot via live streaming when logged into MansionBet on both days of the King George Meeting.
12.40 – Anders Foundation British EBF Crocker Bulteel Maiden Stakes (6f)
MAYAAS made a pleasing start at Haydock (6f, heavy; 15-8f) despite only finishing fourth 20 days ago. William Haggas’ team remain in flying form (26 per-cent strike-rate from 53 runners lately) and with improvement anticipated he should be going close on this better surface.
Hamoudi for Roger Varian, Inveigle for Michal Bell in the Royal colours and Richard Hannon’s Mohawk King are amongst a host of potentially exciting newcomers, while Owen Burrows will hope that Minzaal can continue his excellent record with a limited number of youngsters this season so far.
Tip: Mayaas
1.15 – Betfred Supports Jack Berry House British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (7f)
The only member of this field to have seen the racecourse is ISLE OF MAY and she created a nice impression when second at Newmarket (6f, good; 20-1) this month. She never looked like getting to the front-running winner but she’ll have learned plenty and can put that to good use now with Frankie Dettori taking over. Godolphin’s hand is further strengthened by the presence of Charlie Appleby’s pair Creative Flair and Renaissance Ros; both bred to be good.
Tip: Isle Of May
1.50 BetfredTV Pat Eddery Stakes (Listed, 7f)
Impressive Woodcote winner TWAASOL looks a very promising sort for the Owen Burrows team. He was a pleasing Windsor winner on debut and did his job very well on Derby Day at Epsom. The step up to 7f here as he ventures in Listed company looks favourable and he may take some halting under Martin Harley. Coventry third Saeiqa will give him plenty to think about assuming he lasts the trip.
Tip: Twaasol @ 3/1
2.25 Moet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage Handicap, 7f)
Having flopped in the Bunbury Cup just 14 days ago, it is noted that Roger Varian sends Mutamaasik back out quickly. Whatever ailed him that day clearly hasn’t been troubling him at home.
His third in the Buckingham Palace over C&D at the Royal meeting last month signalled further progression at four and he’s not written off on the back of one blip. SHELIR was close behind him in fifth last month here and now races from a 4lb lower mark. He didn’t appear to stay a mile since at Haydock and perhaps the assessor has handed him an advantage as he drops to 7f again.
Tip: Shelir @ 16/1
3.00 Betfred ‘Nifty Fifty’ Handicap (Straight, 1m)
EVENING SUN was impressive in taking a Newmarket novice last month on return to action and that form looks solid with the runner-up having run well last week in a York Listed event from the front.
Ryan Moore takes over now and an opening mark of 88 may be workable. Dance Fever should be all the sharper for his comeback at Windsor when he essentially had nowhere to run behind the winner on the running rail and may be capable of a decent step forward for the Clive Cox team.
Tip: Evening Sun @ 5/1
3.35 – King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Group 1, 1m4f)
Ballydoyle vs. ENABLE as the mare bids for history and a third win in this midsummer highlight. Japan, Anthony Van Dyck and Sovereign form a trio of runners for Aidan O’Brien in what may be a tactical race.
Frankie Dettori’s mount did as well as was expected in finishing second to Ghaiyyath in the Eclipse (with Japan third) this month and should be much closer to her peak now (says John Gosden). She has a master on her back and Dettori shouldn’t be caught out tactically, with his partner versatile enough to go about the task however he desires.
On fast ground, last year’s Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck – whilst not the must trustable – might emerge as the main threat if he can reproduce the form of last month’s Coronation Cup second to the aforementioned Ghaiyyath.
Tip: Enable @ 8/15
4.10 – Betfred.com Handicap (1m4f)
A tough handicap here and one where Mascat has scope for improvement for the Ralph Beckett team; but preference is for Amanda Perrett’s FRONTISPIECE. He doesn’t have severe mileage on the clock and shaped as good as ever at Newmarket this month on his seasonal bow having undergone a wind operation.
Ryan Moore – who twice partnered him to victory in his days with Sir Michael Stoute – was on board then and remains in place now. The handicapper has only added 1lb and that might be lenient.
Tip: Frontispiece @ 9/1
4.45 – Frimley NHS Foundation Ascot Volunteer Drivers Nursery (7f)
A daughter of Uncle Mo, STAR CACTUS has run well in both starts at Newmarket so far, including when stepped up to this 7f trip last month. She goes into a nursery now from a workable mark of 75 and does so with her yard in superb form (37 per-cent strike-rate from 19 runners of late).
Andrea Atzeni’s mount can go well, though the claims of Richard Hannon’s Royal contender Collinsbay aren’t to be overlooked in any haste.
Tip: Star Cactus
5.20 – John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap (2m)
Frankie Dettori riding for Paul Nicholls is a complete rarity but it might be a fruitful partnership in the finale with SCARAMANGA. He was favourite at Newmarket last month on his first Flat run for this trainer and the dual hurdles winner was doing his best work late on over 1m6f.
This trip holds no fears and with first-time cheekpieces added and Dettori taking over from Megan Nicholls; he’s a notable player.
So, too, is the red-hot Solo Saxophone bidding for a four-time since joining Ben Haslam and not overlooked easily despite a 10lb rise for his latest ready success at York.
Tip: Scaramanga
*All odds correct at time of writing.
