UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

LADY PAULINE is a half-sister to the dual Royal Ascot winner Lady Aurelia and Wesley Ward's filly created a big impression when winning by nearly 10 lengths on her debut at Keeneland last month. She faces a different test on this undulating straight track but if she takes to it, like her half-sister did, she will be extremely hard to beat. Zulu Zander brings solid form to the table and he should be in the mix, while Ventura Rebel is another who should put his experience to good use. Endowed cost 110,000gns at a breeze-up sale a couple of weeks ago and he merits a market inspection.
Prediction : 1st Lady Pauline 2nd Zulu Zander 3rd Ventura Rebel

Model Guest ran well at Group level as a juvenile and she has to be respected, although the fact that she is still a maiden has to be a concern. With that in mind, preference is for BABA GHANOUJ, who caught the eye when finishing fourth on her debut in a maiden won by the subsequent Nell Gwyn winner Qabala. The daughter of Sea The Stars went on to win well at Wolverhampton in November and she should be capable of making her mark at this level. The shortlist is completed by Aim Power, Hidden Message and Queen Power.
Prediction : 1st Baba Ghanouj 2nd Model Guest 3rd Queen Power

DEE EX BEE was a little bit disappointing after his Derby second last year but the son of Farhh still made the frame in some top-class contests. He does have to prove himself over two miles but the way he races suggests he should get it and he will be hard to beat if he does. Weekender only found one too good in the Ebor last year and his subsequent effort in the Irish St. Leger offers plenty of hope for his chances to see out this trip. Danehill Kodiac may struggle to win but has a decent record at this track and could pick up some prize money.
Prediction : 1st Dee Ex Bee 2nd Weekender 3rd Danehill Kodiac

CALYX created a very big impression when beating the subsequent Group winners Advertise and Sergei Prokofiev in the Coventry Stakes over C&D at Royal Ascot last year. The son of Kingman was drawn away from most of his rivals on that occasion and he displayed a really good attitude to pull clear of those drawn on the stands' side rail. The layoff is an obvious concern but most of his rivals are also returning from a break and John Gosden's colt can take this race on his way back to the Royal meeting. Signora Cabello failed to fire on her final start as a juvenile but she has to be respected based on her Queen Mary win and Prix Morny second. Well Done Fox struggled in the US when last seen but could pick up some minor money based on the pick of his form.
Prediction : 1st Calyx 2nd Signora Cabello 3rd Well Done Fox

The return of 2017 St James's Palace winner BARNEY ROY, now with Charlie Appleby having found to be subfertile when sent for breeding purposes, adds a bit to spice to a division sorely needing a top-notch performer to emerge. Fast ground will suit him and a gelding operation may also help in regards to his temperament, having raced keenly when with Richard Hannon. Wadilsafa won in Listed company at Sandown last September and looks open to further improvement this season, while Zaaki was a victim of his own consistency last season, running well without getting his head in front, and is another in the field to have been gelded since his last start.
Prediction : 1st Barney Roy 2nd Wadilsafa 3rd Zaaki

INDIAN RAJ was progressive in three starts back in 2017 and looks the most likely in the field to find further improvement if whatever has kept him off the track hasn't affected him. The booking of former champion jockey Jim Crowley looks a notable one and he could prove too strong for the likes of Iconic Knight, who enjoyed a productive three-year-old campaign, and Rio Ronaldo, who is more than capable of winning off his current mark.
Prediction : 1st Indian Raj 2nd Iconic Knight 3rd Rio Ronaldo

MERCHANT OF VENICE was unable to make it four on the bounce when third at Kempton on his latest start, but he remains unexposed on his sixth career outing and debut on turf. Scott McCullagh takes a handy 5lb off in the plate and the stiff nature of the straight track here can play to his strengths. Medieval was behind the selection in the aforementioned contest, when fifth, and he could find further improvement with a tongue tie added on this occasion, while others to consider include Candelisa, who won at Leicester on his first start after a wind operation, and easy Nottingham winner Juanito Chico.
Prediction : 1st Merchant Of Venice 2nd Medieval 3rd Candelisa