A massive 'well done' to Chris Stickels and all the team at Ascot with all of their communication this week on the going. A fantastic day awaits, which really could be full of surprises given the ground and there are certainly plenty of each-way opportunities with Unibet. See you at Ascot!
1.35 Ascot Champions Sprint Group 1 6f
Not many of these are progressive but Dennis Hogan’s Make A Challenge (nap) most certainly is, thrashed them under similar conditions at the Curragh last weekend and although that was only a Listed event, gave the impression he was more than capable of a step up in class. This four-year-old, who was rated 68 back in May, is now 111 and was supplemented on Monday at a cost of £40,000.
2.10 Ascot Long Distance Cup Group 2 2m
Stradivarius wins, but the race for places looks up for grabs, and perhaps 2m on softish ground is what Mekong has been waiting for. Some of his form this year – his Sandown second to Dee Ex Bee, for example – puts him bang there, and he’s got course form as well. Won in heavy last year and worth chancing each way.
2.45 Ascot Champions Fillies and Mares Group 1 1m 4f
Sparkle Roll (each/way) is crying out for 1m 4f on soft ground (won at Haydock) and she’ll get that here. Travelled best of all when third to her stablemate Star Catcher in the Ribblesdale but just lacked a turn of foot at the death, again found the ground too quick at Newmarket on latest start. Given a break, no bad thing (won fresh this year) and she could be the surprise here, with Oisin Murphy taking the ride.
3.20 Ascot Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Group 1 1m
Benbatl was complete class on his first start for nearly a year at Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting when winning a Group 2 comfortably for his in-form trainer Saeed bin Suroor. This five-year-old with plenty of impressive Meydan form is top-rated here and although there is a question mark as to whether he will handle the heavy ground his sire Dubawi was versatile in terms of going.
4.00 – Ascot Qipco Champion Stakes Group 1 1m 2f
If Deirdre (each-way) handles the ground then she has a big shout here against the admirable Magical, who might be feeling the effects of the Arc and a long season. Deirdre had no luck in running in Ireland last time out when fourth to Magical following a truly impressive performance when winning the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.
4.40 – Ascot Balmoral Handicap 1m
Clon Coulis is now back on the same mark as when just touched off in the Hunt Cup, not had his favoured soft ground since then and will get this run to suit his hold-up style.
Mitchum Swagger for in-form Ralph Beckett may well have needed latest Redcar run after a short break, 1m on soft ground very much his thing and he came good in the autumn last year. Looks to have been primed with end of season targets very much in mind.
