UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

First Flow and The Mighty Don are certainly no mugs, the former making a pleasing start to his chasing career when runner-up at Uttoxeter three weeks ago, but this looks to be between the Nicky Henderson pair. Angels Breath bounced back from a slightly disappointing effort in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle when third at Aintree and he is an exciting addition to the chasing ranks, but slight preference is for his stablemate BIRCHDALE. Hugely impressive in two hurdle starts before not appearing to get home in the Albert Bartlett, this unexposed son of Jeremy looks made to jump fences and he could be one to follow as the season progresses.
Prediction : 1st Birchdale 2nd Angels Breath 3rd First Flow

Copper Coin was a pleasing fourth on his seasonal reappearance at Aintree, form which was franked when the third won last weekend, and he is a must for the shortlist, but FRED looks the one to beat. He had subsequent winner Getariver over two lengths behind when third on his UK debut at Cheltenham four weeks ago and may improve for stretching out three furlongs in trip. The returning Igor and recent Stratford third Sheshoon Sonny are other names to note.
Prediction : 1st Fred 2nd Copper Coin 3rd Igor

Glory And Fortune clearly has tons of ability, winning readily at Huntingdon on his hurdling debut despite racing keenly and crashing through the third-last. Richard Johnson gets the leg up on him as Nico de Boinville switches to Cascova, a smart bumper performer last season for Martyn Meade who now switches to hurdles for Nicky Henderson. Dual bumper scorer Mr Grey Sky shouldn't be underestimated either, but this could go the way of MASTER DEBONAIR. His bumper form is arguably strongest of all, beating last weekend's Grade 2 winner Thyme Hill at Cheltenham 12 months ago, and there was plenty to like about his first timber assignment at Prestbury Park last month. With normal improvement expected, he should go close.
Prediction : 1st Master Debonair 2nd Glory And Fortune 3rd Mr Grey Sky

SKY PIRATE looked set to mount a serious challenge at Wetherby on his reappearance when coming to grief four from home and, providing the six-year-old's confidence isn't dented too much, Jonjo O'Neill's charge could make amends. Kayf Blanco ran on to pick up a silver medal in that contest and the consistent performer is capable of picking up more place money. However, a bigger danger to the selection is the returning Didero Vallis, who was fifth at the Cheltenham Festival in March behind some useful operators and Venetia Williams' horses are beginning to run into some form.
Prediction : 1st Sky Pirate 2nd Didero Vallis 3rd Kayf Blanco

ORCHARDSTOWN CROSS picked up from where he left off last season with victory at Exeter earlier this month and Jeremy Scott's progressive eight-year-old, who doesn't have too many miles on the clock, could continue on an upward curve. Coningsby, an impressive winner at the aforementioned venue on his final start of last season, makes plenty of appeal on his reappearance, while Dragon D'Estruval shaped with encouragement on his first outing following wind surgery at Perth in the summer and may have more to give. Reikers Island and Cloth Cap are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Orchardstown Cross 2nd Coningsby 3rd Dragon DEstruval

The form of SPEED COMPANY's comfortable Chepstow victory took a boost when the second was involved at the business end of the Greatwood last weekend, and that gives plenty of hope that Ian Williams' dual-purpose performer can continue his progression over timber. Red Force One was denied by just a neck in a Listed course-and-distance handicap earlier this month and has to be given serious consideration off a 4lb higher mark, while chasing looks to be on the back burner for stablemate Malaya for now, with the Imperial Cup winner reverting to hurdles over a course and distance she has won over in the past. Ferrobin has been doing well in novice company and is an interesting recruit to handicapping, with Cheltenham third Oakley and Leoncavallo others who make each-way appeal.
Prediction : 1st Speed Company 2nd Red Force One 3rd Ferrobin