Ascot

3.05pm

Eminent Authority

He only made his debut last month, when winning at Killarney, and he clearly stepped up a good deal on that form at Leopardstown last time, even though he finished last of three. He certainly looked as though he would the appreciate this step up in trip here – he did good work in the last half-furlong once the penny finally dropped – and his pedigree backs that up. He is a full-brother to his Group 3, 1m6f-winning stablemate Master Of Reality, and other stayers, and hopefully this greater stamina test will allow him to make the progress needed for him to be competitive here.  And he does need to improve a fair amount. However, I don’t see a Kew Gardens in here, so it’s an open race, and he has a nice draw.

4.20pm

Indian Blessing

I get on her for the first time in a couple of years here and it comes at a good time to judge from her win over 7f at Musselburgh last time. We know that the step up to a mile won’t be any problem at all, and she is versatile as regards the ground. She is a Grade 1-placed mare, and she has each-way claims at a big price in what is obviously a hugely competitive race.

5.00pm

Clon Coulis

She was always going to be up against it from her wide draw at Lingfield last time, so I think you can excuse her below-par effort there. It was a non-event. She has had a good break since, which is a positive as she goes well when fresh, and she also has winning form here. She is also effective on soft as well as fast ground, and I think a mark of 99 for this dual Listed-race winner gives her a fair shot at this. A midfield draw gives me options, too. It’s a very open Hunt Cup, with the weights so compressed, but of the others I like Robin Of Navan most. He has the back-form to win this, being a Group 1 winner, and he obviously was very unlucky at Newbury last time.