UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

FAR SHOT did it nicely on his racecourse debut at Yarmouth before struggling to land a blow here in the Windsor Castle last time. The extra furlong is likely to see the son of Kodiac take a step back in the right direction, with an opening mark of 83 potentially underestimating his true ability. Blatant can be forgiven his most recent effort at Epsom having chased a strong pace and he is likely to enter calculations, along with Parr Fire, who appears likely to benefit from stepping up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Far Shot 2nd Blatant 3rd Parr Fire

SOULCOMBE was impressive on his handicap debut at Haydock when benefiting from the application of blinkers and a step up in trip. The son of Frankel beat a progressive type in comfortable fashion and he could prove tough to beat once again, being 4lb well-in under a penalty. First Officer is likely to be competitive following his first victory at Salisbury, while Teumessias Fox wasn't disgraced when sixth over C&D in the King George V Stakes at the Royal meeting and this ease in grade should help him.
Prediction : 1st Soulcombe 2nd First Officer 3rd Teumessias Fox

It is hard to oppose COSMIC DESERT in a first-time hood. A drop in trip looks set to suit Charlie Appleby's charge given he weakened over 1m2f at Newmarket on his most recent outing last month. Harry Davies' 5lb claim should aid his cause, while Atrium eases in class and must be feared. Bling On The Music has shown promise in novice events recently and should not be discounted on his handicap bow.
Prediction : 1st Cosmic Desert 2nd Atrium 3rd Bling On The Music

This could go the way of SWOON, who was not disgraced on her seasonal debut at Doncaster in April. She had previously won on the all-weather over this distance, so should be able to handle the trip, and improvement should not be ruled out for this Frankel filly. Topanticipation looks to bounce back to winning form off 6lb higher than her latest success, while Crema Inglesa also merits consideration having shown promise over this trip at Goodwood in May.
Prediction : 1st Swoon 2nd Topanticipation 3rd Crema Inglesa

Godolphin have a strong hand in this with Saeed bin Suroor's Big Meeting, a dual winner on the all-weather this term, and the Charlie Appleby-trained First Ruler, who ran well under a winner's penalty when second in a novice stakes event at Newmarket. Both have claims here, as does Surrey Mist, who emerged with some credit when seventh in the King George V Stakes at the Royal meeting, but SEA THE CASPER is taken to extend his unbeaten run. Simon and Ed Crisford's colt had a subsequent winner behind when scoring under a penalty at Redcar last time and could prove better than an initial handicap mark of 92.
Prediction : 1st Sea The Casper 2nd First Ruler 3rd Surrey Mist

LUCKY MAN ran a cracker when second in a big-field handicap at York last time and, with his two wins this term coming in smaller races, the nine runners here might suit him ideally. Asad has filled the runner-up spot on his last two outings and could make an impact again here, while the return to 6f looks likely to suit Tanmawwy, who won twice over this trip before being found wanting over 7f here at the Royal meeting. Recent Ripon second Emperor Spirit is another to note in a competitive affair.
Prediction : 1st Lucky Man 2nd Asad 3rd Tanmawwy

COUNSEL looks well worth another chance now in handicap company. John and Thady Gosden's gelding was beaten eight lengths into third in a novice stakes event on his last start of 2021, but the winner of that contest was Baaeed. If he's anything like as good as that run a mark of 81 will be far too low, and he could come on for a fair effort when second in a novice race at Nottingham on his return. The booking of top apprentice Benoit De La Sayette is another plus. Haydock winner Sucellus and Newbury scorer Fantasy Believer look the main dangers, though a case can be made for the whole field.
Prediction : 1st Counsel 2nd Sucellus 3rd Fantasy Believer