UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

PINATUBO accounted for a good field, which included the subsequent Windsor Castle second Platinum Star, on his debut at Wolverhampton. The son of Shamardal did not appear to be suited by the speed test over 6f in the Woodcote at Epsom last time out but showed his class to win. He should favour this more conventional track, and the extra furlong is also a positive. Lope Y Fernandez was an impressive winner on his debut at the Curragh and has to be respected. It is interesting that connections who are usually very patient with their horses decide to run the maiden Heaven Forfend. Six furlongs would have been too sharp for this son of Frankel on debut at Newbury and that runner-up effort was boosted when the fourth ran well in the Coventry on Tuesday. Others to consider are Harpocrates, Mohican Heights and Year Of The Tiger.
Prediction : 1st Pinatubo 2nd Lope Y Fernandez 3rd Heaven Forfend

HAPPY POWER accounted for some highly-rated older rivals, including Wadilsafa and Oh This Is Us, when winning the Listed Ganton Stakes at York eight days ago. That form suggests that he is the one to beat back against his own age group. That said, Space Blues and Urban Icon are both obvious threats after they fought out the finish in the Surrey Stakes at Epsom late last month. The former came out on top on that occasion but it would be no surprise to see the later reverse that form on this track. Momkin failed to fire in the 2000 Guineas but is a player based on his narrow defeat to Skardu in the Craven. Others to consider are Angel's Hideaway, Bye Bye Hong Kong and So Perfect.
Prediction : 1st Happy Power 2nd Urban Icon 3rd Space Blues

Lah Ti Dar didn't run to form when 14 lengths behind Defoe in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last month, though she is fancied to appreciate the return to a more conventional track and should at the very least bridge that gap. Southern France finished second in the Queen's Vase at this meeting last year and warmed up for this with an impressive second behind Stradivarius at York 36 days ago, while Masar hasn't been witnessed on a racecourse since winning the Derby in 2018 and looks short enough in the betting on that basis alone. MIRAGE DANCER proved a little disappointing when a beaten favourite (fifth) in the Wolferton here 12 months ago, but the son of Frankel landed a Listed race on his seasonal reappearance at Goodwood in style and it is worth noting that he represents the trainer who has won this race four times in the last five years.
Prediction : 1st Mirage Dancer 2nd Southern France 3rd Lah Ti Dar

Blue Point was a brilliant winner of the King's Stand Stakes here on Tuesday and, if turned out again, would boast excellent claims in his bid to follow in the hoofprints of Choisir, who landed the double back in 2003. However, the vote goes to last year's runner-up CITY LIGHT. He was only denied a short-head by Merchant Navy on that occasion and warmed up for this with an eye-catching performance behind the absent Inns Of Court at Maisons-Laffitte. Stephane Wattel's entire arrives fresher this time around, having followed the All-Weather Finals programme last season, and he is more than capable of going one better. Bound For Nowhere was one place behind the selection 12 months ago and warrants plenty of respect once again, while others to respect include Invincible Army, unbeaten in two starts this season, and 2017 hero The Tin Man.
Prediction : 1st City Light 2nd Bound For Nowhere 3rd Invincible Army

GUNMETAL was far from disgraced when dropped back to 5f for the first time in his career at York latest and caught the eye with the way he finished his race off down the stands' rail into fourth. A return to 6f is expected to suit last year's Great St Wilfrid winner, who has the assistance of Oisin Murphy in the saddle and could potentially get a nice tow into the race from Watchable. Danzeno is penalised for his easy victory at Nottingham but has the class needed for this assignment. Victoria Cup winner Cape Byron is interesting now cutting back to 6f, while there may also be a big run on the cards from Lake Volta, a dual 7f winner who could be another keeping on well at the finish. The speedy Gifted Master is rated 4lb lower than when winning last year's Stewards' Cup, though he has first-time cheekpieces fitted after running below his best on both outings since returning from Dubai.
Prediction : 1st Gunmetal 2nd Cape Byron 3rd Lake Volta

CORELLI is closely related to St Leger winner Lucarno and is interesting now granted an extreme test of stamina. He finished an outpaced second over 1m4f at Newmarket on his first start since being gelded and could improve now fitted with a first-time hood. It would come as no surprise to see Pallasator defend his crown, though he offered little on his seasonal return at Leopardstown and needs to come on appreciably for that outing. Sagaro third Cleonte will likely appreciate the return to better ground, having been stuck in the mud in the Chester Cup, while Max Dynamite, a Group 1 regular, is a danger to all now operating at this lower level.
Prediction : 1st Corelli 2nd Cleonte 3rd Max Dynamite