13:35 Fontwell

The Tom George trained Champagne City (best priced at 5/2) has shown good form so far in 2021 with three wins and a second, and he should prove hard to beat off top weight. The eight-year-old returned from a 95 day break to win by 3 ¾ lengths at Worcester and the handicapper has been rather lenient in my opinion only raising the gelding 4lb.

Champagne City has already won on soft ground this year so any more forecast rain would prove no concern and I expect him to continue his good run of form with Ciaran Gethings once again on board.

Champagne City - 1pt @ 5/2

15:05 Ascot

The William Haggas trained Chalk Stream (best priced at 9/4) has looked extremely progressive this season and is expected to cope with this step up to listed level. He has completed a hat-trick of handicap wins off marks of 82, 86 and 94 with his latest victory coming at this course by 4 ¾ lengths.

That victory came over 1m4f but Chalk Stream stayed on extremely well that day shaping like this extra 2f will suit him well. The form of his latest victory was boosted by the third Champagne Piaff winning at Epsom earlier this week and I expect him to make it four in a row in this race. 

Chalk Stream - 1pt @ 9/4

16:15 Ascot

The Ralph Beckett trained Future Investment (best priced at 3/1) has been running well in defeat this season and should hold strong claims back at this track in first-time blinkers. The five-year-old was only beaten a nose over 1m6f here in July off a mark of 94 before placing at both Goodwood and Doncaster off marks of 96 and 97 respectively.

Future Investment wore first-time cheekpieces last time at Doncaster which are now replaced by first-time blinkers and those can hopefully improve the gelding’s attitude in a finish. He runs off top weight in this 0-95 handicap and now drops back down to Class 3 company and he should prove hard to beat under Rossa Ryan.

Future Investment - 1pt @ 3/1