UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

There is likely to be a strong tempo in this contest with the likes of Caspian Prince, Corinthia Knight, Final Venture and Recon Mission in the field and they could inadvertently set this up for DANZENO. Michael Appleby's gelding can sit just behind the pace and has been in very good form this season. He filled third place in the Wokingham here in June, off just 3lb lower, and his ability to stay six furlongs should serve him well this afternoon. The aforementioned Final Venture was only narrowly beaten off this mark in the Scottish Sprint Cup in April and appears a solid each-way alternative to the selection.
Prediction : 1st Danzeno 2nd Final Venture 3rd Caspian Prince

In a race that lacks a standout candidate, marginal preference is for WHAT A WELCOME, who won six times last year, including a success over C&D in October. The five-year-old caught the eye when badly positioned in a much stronger race at Goodwood last time out and he could get back to winning ways this afternoon. Billy Ray put in a career best when chasing home Withhold in the Marsh Cup last time out and that form gives him a big chance today. Those looking for each-way alternatives should consider Time To Study and Blue Laureate.
Prediction : 1st What A Welcome 2nd Billy Ray 3rd Time To Study

Genetics won this race last year but that was off an 8lb lower mark and he has not been in such good form recently. With that in mind, preference is for MANDARIN, who arrives here on the back of impressive victories at Windsor and Newmarket. A 6lb rise in the ratings for the most recent of those successes is fair and he remains unexposed over this trip. Big Kitten ran well to finish sixth in the John Smith's Cup last time out and should go well once again today. Indianapolis is another with solid form claims, while Reshoun should not be underestimated if there is plenty of rain.
Prediction : 1st Mandarin 2nd Big Kitten 3rd Indianapolis

The clear pick is VIA SERENDIPITY, who won this race off this mark 12 months ago. The five-year-old confirmed his well-being with a five-length success at Chelmsford in June, again off this same rating, and he has probably been targeted at this race for quite a while now. Power of Darkness remains lightly-raced for his age and turned in a career-best effort when winning at Salisbury in June. That said, he will have to take another step forward to defy a career-high mark in this tougher heat. Nicholas T was second in this race in 2017 and has to be respected having won on three of his last four starts. War Glory did not get a clear run in the Golden Mile at Goodwood recently and could feasibly pick up some prize money, while Another Batt is well handicapped on the pick of his form.
Prediction : 1st Via Serendipity 2nd Nicholas T 3rd Power of Darkness

NEVER DO NOTHING caught the eye when staying on into third in a similar event over C&D last month and that form was boosted when the winner ran well in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. The son of Casamento did not get the clearest of runs in the final furlong that day and he makes plenty of appeal off the same mark this afternoon. Sapa Inca is not the most prolific of winners but she is more than capable of making the frame in a race of this nature, while similar comments also apply to her stablemate, Vivid Diamond. Boerhan drops in grade today and could go well, although he does have to prove that he stays this trip.
Prediction : 1st Never Do Nothing 2nd Sapa Inca 3rd Vivid Diamond

VICTORY DAY appeared an unlucky loser when given plenty to do in a valuable sprint in which the winner made all at York last time out. The lightly-raced son of Bated Breath is 6lb higher in the ratings today but he could still be very well handicapped. Hero Hero failed to see see out a mile in the Britannia at Royal Ascot when last sighted but he had previously shown good form at shorter trips. Andrew Balding's colt likes to go forward and he could be hard to peg back this afternoon. Kinks and Pass The Vino fought out the finish in a competitive contest at Newmarket two weeks ago and could also go well in an open finale.
Prediction : 1st Victory Day 2nd Hero Hero 3rd Pass The Vino