Saturday ITV Racing Tips & Preview

Having finished an honourable fourth in the Arc behind Enable, Order Of St George will be a pretty short price to give Aidan O’Brien his first win in this race since Fame And Glory in 2011. However, the Irish raider was 4-6 to win last year’s renewal but could only managed fourth behind Sheikhzayedroad and he was also beaten at odds on by Big Orange in the Ascot Gold Cup at the Royal meeting so is not impregnable. With Big Orange not certain to line up, his Goodwood conqueror STRADIVARIUS (Best price 8-1) could prove the answer although he would arguably prefer better ground himself. The selection has since gone on to run a blinder in the St Leger and could be a spot of value against the likely favourite given he won the King’s Vase at the Royal meetings and has done nothing but improve since.

Master trainer Aidan O’Brien leaves little to chance in his quest for winner and the presence of front-runners Alphabet and Intelligence Cross could well compromise the chances of sprinting star and ante-post favourite Harry Angel here. Both my regular readers will know I have been a huge fan of Harry Angel all season, but he has raced three times at Ascot and has finished runner-up on every occasion, including at the hands of CARAVAGGIO (Best price 9-2) in the Commonwealth Cup back in June. There is every chance O’Brien’s battalion could make life tough for Clive Cox’s speedster and Caravaggio is likely to be ridden patiently just off the speed before trying to pick up Harry Angel late on. Those tactics were accomplished perfectly at the Royal meeting and, in contrast to Harry Angel, his old adversary is 2-2 at this venue. 

LIBRISA BREEZE (Best price 14-1) is another to consider as he should love conditions and could outrun his price. He wasn’t beaten far in this race last year and there looks a chance of a late pace collapse today which should suit ideally. At 14-1 he is worth a few shillings as his effort in the Diamond Jubilee on ground arguably too quick was another fine performance and his stats at this time of year when the ground eases are encouraging.

The prospect of soft ground with more rain to come will ensure conditions should be perfect for BATEEL (Best price 9-4) who can atone for a modest display in this event 12 months ago. The selection’s record with soft in the going description reads an impressive 111111 and she was a smooth conqueror of Journey when the duo met on easy ground in Paris last month. The ground was no way near soft enough for Bateel last year at this meeting and she looks capable of taking a big hand now the rains have come. 

A neck separated HERE COMES WHEN (Best price 25-1) and Ribchester in the Sussex Stakes and there could be some value in the former to spring a similar surprise if the forecast rain really does make a dramatic impact. The prospect of testing ground could bring one or two of the main contenders back to the field here with the likes of Churchill uncertain to be suited by testing conditions. However, there is no doubt it will play to the strengths of Here Comes When who looks sure to be ridden patiently by Jamie Spencer before trying to pick up the pieces late on. The veteran operates well when the mud is flying whereas one or two of his rivals would arguably want a sounder surface and, while he is no good thing, there could be some each-way value in his chance against Ribchester who is a vastly shorter price. Persuasive loves Ascot and soft ground so could well outrun her odds judged on another fine effort behind Roly Poly at Newmarket in the Sun Chariot.

Hurricane Brian threatens to put a sizeable dampener on Britain’s richest race day, however Frankie Dettori is intent on leaving his rivals and bookmakers howling with success aboard CRACKSMAN (Best price 2-1) in the Qipco Champion Stakes. 
A narrow defeat at the hands of St Leger winner Capri in the Irish Derby succeeded a creditable display when third in the Epsom version and, with conditions likely to be testing this afternoon, his confirmed stamina at a mile and a half could well prove a worthy asset today.
A smooth winner of the Voltigeur at York in August, Cracksman confirmed his well-being with a cosy success in the Prix Niel last month on deep ground, an outing which should have prepped him perfectly for today’s test.

The trouble with spotting an eyecatcher is that any half decent race reader does exactly the same so the layers were never likely to be generous in their assessment of the chances of LORD GLITTERS (Best price 4-1) in the Balmoral Handicap. A sluggish start left the French import with a mountain to climb in the strongly-contested seven-furlong handicap won by Accidental Hero, but it was to his great credit that he overhauled most of the field from the two furlong marker before running out of real estate. A return to a mile and genuine soft ground should be ideal for a horse that travels powerfully and, although Zabeel Prince is another potential Group race in opposition, the selection’s track experience may serve him well.