UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

A very competitive renewal of this contest but the marginal preference is for SETTING SAIL, who returned from a 572-day break to win easily at Wolverhampton 19 days ago. That form was boosted when the second filled the runner-up spot once again in a handicap off a mark of 87 last weekend, which suggests that this son of Dansili may be well handicapped off an opening mark of 96. Now Children failed to reward favourite backers in the November Handicap last time out but it is far too soon to be writing him off. Sextant remains thoroughly unexposed and he may benefit from a gelding operation over the winter.
Prediction : 1st Setting Sail 2nd Now Children 3rd Sextant

Salouen is clearly the one to beat based on his fine efforts in the Coronation Cup, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and Arc last year. That said, he is not a prolific winner and was beaten in this race last year by BARSANTI, who can make it back-to-back victories this afternoon. Roger Varian's gelding is a consistent performer and he does not have to carry a penalty this afternoon. What About Carlo and Pilansberg both look to be up against it but the former is the pick of that pair.
Prediction : 1st Barsanti 2nd Salouen 3rd What About Carlo

RED STARLIGHT bumped into a useful rival when finishing second in a Listed race at Doncaster on her seasonal return and she was not disgraced when filling sixth place in the Spring Cup last time out. Back against her own sex this afternoon, the daughter of Pivotal should take plenty of beating. Adorable represents the connections who won this race last year with the subsequent Group 1 winner Urban Fox. She won a French Listed race and placed at Group 3 level last year and is an obvious threat to the selection. Bella Ragazza won a valuable event at Newmarket when last seen but an 8lb rise in the ratings makes her life tougher.
Prediction : 1st Red Starlight 2nd Adorable 3rd Bella Ragazza

Ripp Orf landed this race 12 months ago and he went on to win again over C&D off a mark just 2lb lower than this in September. The five-year-old ran well in the Lincoln on his return but failed to fire in the Spring Cup last time out, although it is far too soon to be writing him off. Kynren is a consistent performer who will be hard to keep out of the frame but he may find one or two too good once again. With that in mind, the preference is for CAPE BYRON, who was only just beaten by Ripp Orf over C&D in September and he is 3lb better off with that rival for a half-length defeat today. The son of Shamardal didn't like the soft ground in the Challenge Cup over this track and trip last time out and he merits the utmost respect as long as the rain stays away. Others to consider are Blue Mist, Glorious Journey and Presidential.
Prediction : 1st Cape Byron 2nd Kynren 3rd Ripp Orf

PRAXEOLOGY was far from the most expensive of these at 35,000gns but the son of Dark Angel was only denied by a neck at Chelmsford on his debut nine days ago. Mark Johnston's colt is entitled to improve for that run and his experience could prove to be vital this afternoon. Expressionist and Endowed both have to be respected having cost 300,000gns and 110,000gns respectively at the Craven Breeze-Up Sale last month, but arguably the most interesting newcomer is Clan Royale. A 200,000gns purchase last year, the colt is a half-brother to Family One, who was a Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed juvenile, and he also shares his page with the likes of G Force and Lethal Force.
Prediction : 1st Praxeology 2nd Clan Royale 3rd Expressionist

MOLLS MEMORY found only the thriving Pennsylvania Dutch too strong at Thirsk recently but Ed Walker's charge would have been perfectly entitled to need that comeback outing and could feasibly take closer order with the benefit of the run now behind her. Followthesteps ran on well at the finish when second over 6f at Wolverhampton and is interesting now switched to this stiffer track. Others to bear in mind in a competitive heat are recent Newcastle scorer Oriental Lilly, for whom the booking of William Buick catches the eye, and Martineo, who recently landed a hat-trick on the all-weather.
Prediction : 1st Molls Memory 2nd Followthesteps 3rd Martineo

CABARITA turned in an improved performance when beaten by under a length into third on her handicap debut over the extended 1m1f at Wolverhampton and there could improvement to come now granted this extra yardage. Infanta Isabella has been knocking on the door over this distance at Newbury and wouldn't be winning out of turn, while it would come as no surprise to see Double Reflection exact revenge on her Brighton conqueror, Ashazuri, with talented amateur Lisa O'Neill booked by the Karl Burke team.
Prediction : 1st Cabarita 2nd Infanta Isabella 3rd Double Reflection