UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

OUZO was caught right on the line when a neck second on his seasonal return at Newmarket 10 days ago and Richard Hannon's colt has to be respected off the same mark today. He should get a good lead into the race, being drawn just two stalls away from likely front-runner Zhui Feng, and is entitled to improve for that recent outing. The lack of experience is a concern for Maydanny but he won impressively at Yarmouth two weeks ago and he should be capable of making his mark at this level. The aforementioned Zhui Feng can run very well at this track and he should not be underestimated, while Salayel and So Beloved are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Ouzo 2nd Maydanny 3rd Zhui Feng

JUAN ELCANO outran odds of 66/1 to finish a very respectable fifth in the 2000 Guineas 11 days ago and the son of Frankel should have no problem handling this step up in trip. He was only beaten a length in a pair of Group 2 contests as a juvenile and Kevin Ryan's colt sets a high standard for his rivals to aim at. Berlin Tango accounted for a decent filed in the Classic Trial at Kempton recently but the 4lb penalty he carries for that victory has to be a worry. It is interesting that connections have chose to come here with First Receiver, given that he could have contested some of the three-year-old handicaps this week, and his easy win at Kempton a fortnight ago marked him out as a potential Group performer. Others to note are Russian Emperor and Kenzai Warrior.
Prediction : 1st Juan Elcano 2nd First Receiver 3rd Berlin Tango

To Nathaniel and Win O'Clock command respect after winning in recent weeks but they both face a tougher task today and have to carry 4lb penalties. With that in mind, the vote goes to BRIGHT MELODY, who was third to Berlin Tango (who runs in the previous race on this card) in the Group 3 Classic Trial at Kempton earlier in the month. That performance suggests the unexposed son of Dubawi is more than capable of winning off a mark of 98. Bodyline looks sure to improve for this step up in trip based upon his staying-on second over 1m2f at Yarmouth a fortnight ago, with similar comments also applicable to Kipps. Those looking for each-way alternatives should consider King's Caper, Subjectivist and Hukum.
Prediction : 1st Bright Melody 2nd Bodyline 3rd Kipps

Roger Charlton's Headman undoubtedly has plenty of talent, having struck twice in Group 2 company in France last year, although he gives the impression that softer ground suits him best and he may not appreciate this drying surface. Similar sentiments apply to Addeybb, who enjoyed a fruitful spell in Australia under Tom Marquand during the spring but faces tougher opposition now back on home soil. Barney Roy has won Group 2 and Group 1 contests in Dubai this year but probably needs a career-best performance to take this, so the vote instead goes to Arc fourth JAPAN. A winner of the Juddmonte International at York before that, Aidan O'Brien's 122-rated performer has a class edge over this field and already has some solid course form in the book, having landed the King Edward VII easily at this meeting 12 months ago.
Prediction : 1st Japan 2nd Barney Roy 3rd Headman

Fox Champion wasn't beaten far in Group 1 company in the St James's Palace Stakes at this meeting last year and is interesting now moving into handicap company, while Willie John has always been held in high regard by the Roger Varian team but has suffered from injury issues in the last couple of years. Fox Premier is probably fairly handicapped off 97 but might want further than this, so instead the vote goes to recent Newmarket scorer BELL ROCK for the in-form Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy combination. The four-year-old was deemed good enough to run in Group 1 company on just his third career start last season and appears to have improved for a gelding operation prior to his recent HQ success. A 5lb penalty might not be enough to stop him following up and his sire, Kingman, is thus taken to claim yet another high profile winner.
Prediction : 1st Bell Rock 2nd Willie John 3rd Fox Champion

Wes Ward juveniles are always worth a second look at Royal Ascot, especially over the minimum distance, and with Frankie Dettori booked for SUNSHINE CITY, the Gulfstream winner receives the vote in the hope he's another speedball off the production line. Stablemate Sheriff Bianco is also worth a market check, though perhaps the main threat to the selection may come from Archie Watson's Mighty Gurkha, who took off like a rocket when slamming his rivals by over seven lengths at Lingfield. Chief Little Hawk struck on debut for Aidan O'Brien at Navan and, under Ryan Moore, is likely to prove another warm order. Although Get It (second) and Tactical (third) were beaten in the same HQ novice contest by the Norfolk-bound Eye Of Heaven on debut, both shaped encouragingly and could find the improvement needed to figure here.
Prediction : 1st Sunshine City 2nd Mighty Gurkha 3rd Chief Little Hawk

COLLIDE travelled strongly at Chelmsford last week, picking off the front-running Land Of Oz and justifying favouritism to win off a mark of 101. He's turned out under a penalty here but should remain competitive before making up into a Pattern performer for Hugo Palmer. Fujaira Prince was third off this mark in the Duke Of Edinburgh over 1m4f here 12 months ago and shaped as though he'd stay further, so any money for him on his reappearance would be notable. Others to consider in an open heat are Shailene, who recently contested a Group 3 at Haydock, and Godolphin representative Dubai Horizon, who was active at Meydan earlier this year.
Prediction : 1st Collide 2nd Fujaira Prince 3rd Dubai Horizon