UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

A wide-open renewal of this contest but preference is for LE BRIVIDO, who caught the eye when staying on into fifth in the Lockinge last month. The son of Siyouni met trouble in running on that occasion and his early-season campaign appears to have been focussed upon being primed for this race. He is proven on this course having won the Jersey over 7f here two years ago and softer ground should not be a problem for him. Mustashry did nothing wrong when winning the Lockinge and he is an obvious threat, as is Laurens, who was second at Newbury. Those looking for each-way alternatives should consider Accidental Agent, Beat The Bank and Romanised.
Prediction : 1st Le Brivido 2nd Mustashry 3rd Laurens

ARIZONA only found one too good on his debut at the Curragh and he left that form well behind when winning by eight lengths on his next start at the same venue. The son of No Nay Never looks to have a very bright future and he can be Aidan O'Brien's fourth winner of this race since 2011. Threat appears to be the best of the English runners based on his impressive debut win over 5f at Newmarket last month and he is likely to improve for the extra furlong today. Guildsman won easily on his first start and is another to consider, while Maxi Boy completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Arizona 2nd Threat 3rd Guildsman

Battaash is the one to beat based on his win in the Temple Stakes, but he was beaten by Blue Point in this race 12 months ago and the latter could confirm that form today. Charlie Appleby's five-year-old won all three of his starts at Meydan earlier in the year and his form figures at this track read 1311. That said, preference is for MABS CROSS, who looked to have improved when defying a penalty to win the Palace House at Newmarket last month. Her run in the Temple can be forgiven as she lost a shoe that day and she seems sure to run yet another huge race for Michael Dods and Paul Mulrennan. Equilateral gave the selection plenty to think about at Newmarket and he could be underestimated hailing from the same yard as Battaash.
Prediction : 1st Mabs Cross 2nd Blue Point 3rd Battaash

PHOENIX OF SPAIN blitzed the opposition to make all in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last time, reversing form with his Champagne Stakes conqueror Too Darn Hot, and the way in which Charles Hills' colt kept on strongly to maintain his three-length advantage at the line suggests it will be hard for any of his rivals to turn the tables. Too Darn Hot is yet to match his ultra-impressive two-year-old form this term but connections are confident he can still live up to his lofty reputation in the second half of this season, while stablemate King Of Comedy takes the same path as last year's winner by scoring in the Listed Heron Stakes last time. Craven winner Skardu has performed admirably in both the 2000 Guineas and Irish equivalent and has to be respected, while French Guineas second Shaman's appeal would grow with any further rain. Derby sixth Circus Maximus looks to carry the main hopes of Ballydoyle and drops back in trip with blinkers now tried.
Prediction : 1st Phoenix Of Spain 2nd Too Darn Hot 3rd Shaman

Willie Mullins has a phenomenal record in this contest, winning three of the last four renewals. He has put all his eggs in the basket of his useful mare Buildmeupbuttercup, who was a handy Flat performer for Mick Channon before switching to the Closutton handler and has contested some top hurdle races this year. Mullins' great rival Gordon Elliott saddles one of the National Hunt seasons' leading novice chasers in Mengli Khan, who was once deemed good enough to run in a Group 1 on the level, and Batts Rock, who has the assistance of Frankie Dettori. Fun Mac is a solid performer in these staying handicaps and reappeared nicely to finish fifth at Chester, while Mancini went close at York and is partnered by silvestre de Sousa today. However, the prospect of cut in the ground brings COEUR DE LION right to the top of the shortlist. He thrived in the mud at Chester last time and Alan King's popular six-year-old is just 2lb higher than when sixth in this last season.
Prediction : 1st Coeur de Lion 2nd Fun Mac 3rd Buildmeupbuttercup

Elarqam made a welcome return to the winners' enclosure over this trip last month and the former classic hope has a chance of landing further glory if in the same form. Willie John chased him home in second on that occasion and forms one half of a useful Roger Varian team, with dual Epsom winner Mountain Angel arriving in good form. Any cut in the ground brings Addeybb into the equation and he could build on his Chester reappearance when fourth in a Group 2, while Star Of Bengal can't be ignored in search of the hat-trick for last years winning trainer/jockey combination. Irish Derby winner Latrobe is a proven Group-level performer who could be extremely dangerous in this company. However, the same can be said for MAGIC WAND, who took the Ribblesdale Stakes at this meeting last year and is fancied to make a winning return to the UK having run with real credit on her travels abroad in recent months.
Prediction : 1st Magic Wand 2nd Latrobe 3rd Elarqam