Ascot hosts a top-quality seven-race card on Saturday and Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway previews the action exclusively for MansionBet.
1.15 Pat Eddery Stakes (Listed Race)
This quality juvenile Listed event looks like a good opportunity for Mr McCann.
The son of Kodiac drops in class after finishing fourth in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last time and that was a big career best. He might still be improving and is taken ahead of likely favourite Cachet, who finished third in the Empress at Newmarket last time.
Honey Sweet might be best of the rest in a race that could prove strong going forward.
Selection: Mr McCann @ SP
1.50 Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies)
There is a lot to like about the way Desert Dreamer is progressing and she is fancied to reverse the Empress form with System, who beat her in that Listed race at Newmarket.
Desert Dreamer has since chased home top-class juvenile Sandrine in the Duchess Of Cambridge at Newmarket’s July meeting and that was a 5lb improvement on form on RPRs.
A similar amount of progress again would make Desert Dreamer the one to beat here.
Selection: Desert Dreamer @ 5/2
2.25 Porsche Handicap
Fantastic Fox did too much too soon when well beaten over a mile and a quarter in the Golden Gates Stakes at the royal meeting here last month and the return to a mile will suit.
The lightly raced three-year-old had previously bolted up by seven and a half lengths over a shorter trip at Hamilton in May and he did that well in a good time. A reproduction of that form would make him difficult to beat, especially if the forecast rain fails to materialise.
Marsabit has won three of his last four starts and could prove the main danger.
Selection: Fantastic Fox @ 3/1
3.00 Moet & Chandon International Stakes
Motakhayyel won the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket last time by a wide margin off a big weight and he looks like a Group 1 horse in a handicap. His class might come through.
The five-year-old is well handicapped, too. He won off a mark of 109 at Newmarket and is able to race off just 112 here under a 3lb penalty. If he had been reassessed he would have had to race off a mark of 118, so he is 6lb well in and keeps quite a few out of the weights.
That means a lot of the possible improvers at the bottom of the handicap are racing off unfavourable terms and Motakhayyel might be capable of taking full advantage.
Acquitted has a string of good placed efforts to his name and is the best each-way alternative.
Selection: Motakhayyel @ 4/1
3.35 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
The Hardwicke Stakes run over course and distance last month might prove the key to this race and Wonderful Tonight is taken to confirm the form of her easy victory over Broome.
The David Menuisier-trained filly is improving rapidly and she gets a generous 3lb sex allowance from the colts. That might help swing the balance in her favour if the rain arrives.
If the forecast rain doesn’t materialise she might not run and Broome shouldn’t be underestimated at what are huge odds. He is the best alternative.
Selection: Wonderful Tonight @ 6/1
4.10 Sebastian’s Action Trust Handicap
It’s hard to get away from Camelot Tales, who overcame a slow start when showing a good turn of foot to land a handicap at Ayr last time and looks open to plenty of further progress.
The lightly raced three-year-old has gone up only 2lb for that victory and is bred to improve for the two-furlong longer trip. He is by stamina influence Camelot and his dam is a half-sister to Rocktherunway, who was successful over as far as a mile and three quarters.
By Starlight has been in good form recently and might prove the biggest danger.
Selection: Camelot Tales @ SP
4.45 Longines Handicap (For Female Amateur Jockeys)
A wide-open handicap for female amateur riders poses quite a challenge to finish.
Zlatan has been running well for Sophie Smith recently, landing a mile handicap at Sandown and finishing a good second over this shorter trip at Chester last time. His familiarity with the rider could prove key and he has sound claims after going up just 1lb in the weights.
Spirited Guest was second at Yarmouth on Thursday and might be the biggest threat if turned out quickly under Rosie Margarson. She should know him well as he is trained by her father.
Selection: Zlatan @ SP
*All odds correct at time of writing
