3.05pm Ascot

Vadream

She obviously shaped well in the Fred Darling, so we took our chance in the Guineas, for all that the mile there was always a big question mark. She actually ran a blinder there but her big asset is more speed than stamina, so coming back to 7f is a good move. An unpenalised 3yo filly getting weight, I can see her going well, though clearly Friday’s rain is a big game-changer for everyone who entered on good to firm on Thursday morning.

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5.00pm Ascot

Chiefofchiefs

He doesn’t have any secrets from the handicapper but we know he loves it here, and the tempo of these big-field handicaps. So he has his chance once again. He has form on soft but his record tells you he is probably better on better ground. We will see, though.

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5.35pm Ascot

River Alwen

We had the option of running him over 1m4f earlier in the week, but we are sticking to 1m2f for now, which is handy given the way the weather has turned. A mark of 101 doesn’t make life easy for him against what are probably better-handicapped rivals in here, but he won well for me at Newmarket on quick ground and he probably improved again when third in the London Gold Cup at Newbury next time, albeit he was beaten a fair way. Hopefully there is more improvement in him and he should give a good account of himself if handling the ground.

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6.10pm Ascot

Lethal Steps

He was well beaten here earlier in the week and, although he isn’t totally without a chance on some of his form, he will need to leave that run a long way behind here on ground that probably isn’t ideal.

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