UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

SWINDLER enjoyed a nice pipe-opener for this contest when fifth at Newmarket earlier this month and, back at a track he won twice at last season, is fancied to take some beating for Ed Walker. It would be a slight concern if more rain arrived, but this four-year-old might be fairly treated off 96 at this venue and could prove too hot to handle for Blue Mist, who was disappointing when second on reappearance but is interesting trying 6f for the first time. Woven was successful in a competitive Meydan handicap when last seen in February and makes some appeal despite his handler's slow start to the season, while Burmese Waltz struck on stable debut for Archie Watson 10 days ago and could have more to offer.
Prediction : 1st Swindler 2nd Blue Mist 3rd Woven

Aidan O'Brien has his juveniles well forward this year and More Beautiful left a lasting impression when easily scoring at Naas earlier this month. A half-sister to 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior, she showed plenty of ability on that occasion and must be of serious interest if this doesn't come too soon for her. Sacred's dam was full of speed and she showed a lovely turn of foot to strike at Newmarket last time for William Haggas, but Wesley Ward is a man to fear in 5f races at Royal Ascot and CAMPANELLE wouldn't be coming here if her handler wasn't confident. A Gulfstream scorer in May, the Kodiac filly beat a well-backed stablemate with relative ease there and could provide Ward with a third success in this contest since 2015 with Frankie Dettori booked to do the steering.
Prediction : 1st Campanelle 2nd More Beautiful 3rd Sacred

QAADER created a very big impression when making a winning debut over 6f at Newbury a weeks ago. The son of Night Of Thunder sprinted clear of his rivals to win by four lengths on that occasion and he could take some stopping if improving for the experience. That said, Admiral Nelson was equally as impressive when successful at the Curragh and he should be helped by this step up in trip. Aidan O'Brien's colt cost 440,000 pounds as a yearling and it would be no surprise to see him prove to be the main threat to the selection. Army Of India touched off Science when scoring 18 days ago and that extra few days rest should be a benefit to him, while Creative Force and Lauded are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Qaader 2nd Admiral Nelson 3rd Army Of India

All of these arrive here with valid form claims but the marginal preference is for QUADRILATERAL, who can provide her supporters with some valuable compensation following her defeat in the 1000 Guineas. The daughter of Frankel was far from disgraced at Newmarket, finishing third, and she is entitled to improve for that run. Cloak Of Spirits is an obvious threat having been a place in front of the selection at HQ but with Run Wild in the field she may face a tougher task on the front end. Sharing is an interesting US contender who should not be underestimated, while So Wonderful should run her usual solid race.
Prediction : 1st Quadrilateral 2nd Cloak Of Spirits 3rd Sharing

Champion two-year-old Pinatubo tasted defeat for the first time when third to Kameko and the reopposing Wichita in the 2000 Guineas. However, there is every chance that Charlie Appleby's colt can reverse that form with the potential for him to be sharper on this occasion. Wichita improved significantly on his juvenile form in the aforementioned Newmarket contest and may still be improving with this being his sixth career start, but the unexposed PALACE PIER could be up to taking the biggest step forward. John Gosden has brought him along steadily, winning in both maiden/novice company at Sandown last year, and ignored the temptation to run him in a Classic by opting for a handicap at Newcastle on the same day. The son of Kingman couldn't have been more impressive with a performance that suggested he would have no issue with the significant rise in class. Threat and Positive both missed the Guineas to come here fresh and the pair boast a high level of form which puts them right in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Palace Pier 2nd Pinatubo 3rd Wichita

Sceptical was purchased for 2,800 pounds in August 2019 from Godolphin and he hasn't looked back having won four of his five starts. Denis Hogan's gelding passed the acid test regarding turf with an impressive display in Listed company at Naas last week, and the booking of Frankie Dettori gives him excellent claims on his first attempt at the highest grade. Hello Youmzain placed in the Commonwealth Cup at the meeting last season before going on to land the Sprint Cup at Haydock. He remains open to further improvement on just his ninth career start, but a chance is taken with KHAADEM. Charlie Hills' colt has reportedly thrived over the winter and the Stewards' Cup winner had excuses on his last couple of starts which came on ground far too soft for his liking. Others to note include One Master, who was runner-up in the Champions Sprint in October, and 2017 hero The Tin Man.
Prediction : 1st Khaadem 2nd Hello Youmzain 3rd Sceptical

Kevin Ryan won this in 2013 and looks to hold leading claims this time around with the progressive BIELSA, who won three of his four outings last term and pulled away from a useful field when impressing at Doncaster on his final start of the campaign. There could still be plenty of milage in his mark and now makes his first appearance for new owners King Power Racing. The handler has a useful second dart with Hey Jonesy, who isn't the most reliable but is now tried in first-time blinkers off a dangerous-looking figure following a pipe-opener in the Buckingham Palace earlier this week. Jack's Point was second in that aforementioned 7f contest and drops back in trip off the same rating, while the consistent Danzeno was third in this last season and has to be respected despite the burden of top weight. Last year's fifth Summerghand is just 1lb higher this term and rates as the pick of David O'Meara's trio. James Doyle catches the eye in the saddle and the experienced six-year-old is backed to reverse form with his Newmarket conqueror Tinto on the revised terms. Mubakker and Highland Dress have both scored since the restart and are others to note in a typically competitive renewal.
Prediction : 1st Bielsa 2nd Summerghand 3rd Jacks Point

Alan King landed the Ascot Stakes earlier this week and could strike again with WHO DARES WINS, who landed the Northumberland Plate on the level last summer and was a Grade 2 winner over fences during the winter. The admirable dual-purpose performer has placed at this meeting in the past, is versatile ground-wise and is one with zero stamina doubts. Mekong was last seen finishing second in Saudi Arabia and is interesting trying this trip for the first time, while last year's Ascot Stakes winner The Grand Visir has to be respected despite disappointing since. Nate The Great, who was second in the Chesham here as a two-year-old, represents last year's winning handler and looks in need of a marathon trip to be at his best these days, while Fun Mac is a standing dish in staying contests at this meeting and could run another solid race.
Prediction : 1st Who Dares Wins 2nd Mekong 3rd The Grand Visir