UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

Rommel stepped up on his debut third when winning at Lingfield and he warrants respect, despite the penalty. However, in receipt of 7lb, preference is for the other experienced runner in the line-up, BOBBY ON THE BEAT. Michael Bell's charge made a debut full of promise when third over 6f at Newmarket and he should be much happier granted an extra furlong on this more conventional track. Air To Air, Golden Crusader and Time Interval are amongst a few interesting newcomers.
Prediction : 1st Bobby On The Beat 2nd Rommel 3rd Air To Air

Lightness has run well in each of her three starts thus far and sets a decent enough standard being rated 81, but a couple of less exposed rivals could well progress past her. After a slow start, there was much to like about Be Easy's opening effort at Haydock and she is likely to take a step forward, but MARGARET DUMONT was equally as promising when third at Thirsk on debut and that form has been franked with the winner, A Star Above, following up at Leicester earlier this week.
Prediction : 1st Margaret Dumont 2nd Be Easy 3rd Lightness

APPARATE progressed throughout last season, starting handicap life off a mark of 83 and finishing up on 93, and his best effort came when landing the Lavazza Stakes over 1m4f here. This longer trip should suit and if anywhere near peak fitness on his return to action, he ought to play a leading role. Baasem finished seventh behind the selection in the aforementioned course event, but had won two starts previous to that and may close the gap at least. Mancini ran well enough in the Ascot Stakes and can't be ruled out cutting back in distance with first-time cheekpices fitted.
Prediction : 1st Apparate 2nd Baasem 3rd Mancini

Sir Michael Stoute's MELNIKOVA returned a beaten favourite when third behind Quadrilateral over 7f at Newbury in September but she could have strengthened up during her winter break and is interesting now stepped up in distance on her handicap debut. Manaabit has been raised 7lb for scoring over the extended 7f at Beverley last month but is respected with match-fitness on her side. The pick of the remainder may be recent Yarmouth scorer Alnaseem, who has a 4lb rise to contend with.
Prediction : 1st Melnikova 2nd Manaabit 3rd Alnaseem

CELESTRAN failed to settle when finishing third behind subsequent Derby runner-up Khalifa Sat in the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood and it will be interesting to see if first-time blinkers help focus his energies. Dubai Souq similarly took a keen hold when last sighted at Nottingham, though he still won by six lengths. He's sporting a first-time visor and has place claims if seeing out this longer trip. Eastern Sheriff, who won comfortably at Ripon but struggled at Newmarket yesterday, has claims if at his best here.
Prediction : 1st Celestran 2nd Dubai Souq 3rd Eastern Sheriff

David O'Meara's LORD GLITTERS is making his seasonal debut this afternoon but, in Group 2 company and racing without a penalty for his victory in last year's Queen Anne Stakes on the straight course here, he makes plenty of appeal. Skardu has each-way claims on his C&D fourth in last season's St James's Palace Stakes and can fight it out for the minor money with Mohaather, Marie's Diamond and Duke Of Hazzard. San Donato is unexposed over 1m and also worth a market check on his return from a lengthy absence.
Prediction : 1st Lord Glitters 2nd Skardu 3rd Mohaather

APLOMB ran with credit in the Silver Wokingham at the Royal meeting last month and that effort suggested the drop back to 5f at a course of this nature might just bring out the best in him. Stone Of Destiny finished sixth in the Wokingham itself and is 1lb lower than his C&D success at last year's Shergar Cup meeting, while Final Venture, a strong traveller who rarely runs a bad race, and recent Haydock winner Mountain Peak cannot be discounted.
Prediction : 1st Aplomb 2nd Stone Of Destiny 3rd Final Venture

ALPHABETICAL has improved 20lb in three runs since being stepped markedly up in trip by Sir Mark Prescott and there is every chance he is still ahead of the handicapper despite a 6lb rise for his latest success at Yarmouth. Stag Horn built on some promising efforts as a juvenile when scoring at Goodwood on his handicap debut and he warrants respect along with Grain Of Sense, who sports blinkers for the first time after disappointing on his return at Doncaster.
Prediction : 1st Alphabetical 2nd Stag Horn 3rd Grain Of Sense