UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

Point-to-point winner El Rio had the race at his mercy when he fell at the last on his Rules debut at Chepstow, but he is likely to be wiser for the experience. Knowwhentoholdem, who won a bumper on his racecourse bow, showed up well enough on his first start over timber and is another likely improver. However, MYLESFROMWICKLOW has shown ability in both previous starts in this sphere and edges preference due to his proven stamina over this sort of trip.
Prediction : 1st Mylesfromwicklow 2nd El Rio 3rd Knowwhentoholdem

Allo Allo is effective on the front end and is likely to make this a good test if he runs his usual race. That scenario will ideally suit KAYF HERNANDO and he edges the nomination because he has steadily improved since being fitted with a tongue-tie and, with the cheekpieces now discarded, his interest could pricked over a trip that suits. Gamaret is also taken seriously but he has a question to answer over his stamina, especially under top weight.
Prediction : 1st Kayf Hernando 2nd Allo Allo 3rd Gamaret

A few of these crossed swords in the Boodles at the Festival and are likely to find this is a more winnable target at this stage of their development. MR FREEDOM (fifth) was best of the bunch (and the British) at Cheltenham and given the amount of misfortune he suffered on the day with the saddle slipping and him being struck into, his effort was highly commendable. Afadil (eighth) and Fils De Roi (ninth) renew rivalries and are shortlisted in their attempts to get back on track, while the well-supported Bad weakened after racing too free. Fourofakind is on the up and is also considered.
Prediction : 1st Mr Freedom 2nd Afadil 3rd Fils De Roi

FRERE D'ARMES kept his unbeaten record over fences intact when displaying a polished round of jumping to beat subsequent Betfair Hurdle hero Aucunrisque at Newbury in November and he looks more than capable of shrugging off an 8lb rise in the handicap. Prince Escalus returned to winning ways at Wetherby and, if gaining an uncontested lead, may prove the biggest threat. Xcitations, who finished behind in second on that occasion, makes most appeal of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Frere Darmes 2nd Prince Escalus 3rd Xcitations

The Imposter has enjoyed a fine season with five wins to his name, but his latest dead-heat at Ffos Las suggests that the handicapper may be catching up with him and he could prove vulnerable to the unexposed CHARGING POINT. Laura Morgan's inmate was a ready winner on his second start in a handicap at Southwell and looks the type to relish this extra distance. Scamallach Liath was far from disgraced when runner-up on his handicap bow at Exeter and is another to consider in first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Charging Point 2nd The Imposter 3rd Scamallach Liath

TWO FOR GOLD found the Magners Plate at the Cheltenham Festival too much to handle and the 10-year-old has been given an excellent chance by the handicapper, having dropped him 6lb, ahead of his first run in a veterans' contest. Wishing And Hoping won the final of this series at Sandown in January and bids to bounce back from a heavy defeat in Listed company at Kelso. Larry won here on his return to action in November and following a couple of ordinary efforts, took a step back in the right direction when runner-up at Newbury last month.
Prediction : 1st Two For Gold 2nd Wishing And Hoping 3rd Larry

JERRASH pulled up in a Pertemps qualifier at Haydock but he was found to be coughing post-race and the six-year-old, a winner on hurdling debut at this track in January of last year, is capable of bouncing back from that display. Top Of The Bill has to enter the reckoning based on his Exeter victory on his penultimate start, while others capable of a decent showing include Rocky Man and Ivaldi.
Prediction : 1st Jerrash 2nd Top Of The Bill 3rd Rocky Man