13:50 Ascot

Leg 1 Selections: Emaraaty Ana, Nymphadora

EMARAATY ANA could only finish third at York last time but is still the best horse in the race and is the clear highest rated runner in the field who comes out best at the weights. His last run here came in a Group 1 so he is going to find this easier and should be hard to beat. I’ll cover NYMPHADORA who went very close in a Group 3 last time when second and is another who is eased in grade. She should be in contention, though the former is the one I think will win. 

14:25 Ascot

Leg 2 Selections: Al Aasy, L’astronome

AL AASY is a very good horse and having won three of his last five starts, he came within inches of landing a Group 3 in Ireland when second. He should get the required strong pace that he needs and can be competitive. Don’t rule out L’ASTRONOME who shaped really well when third in a Listed race on stable debut at Chester and is open to plenty more improvement. Tom Marquand takes over the ride and he could give the favourite most to think about. 

15:00 Ascot

Leg 3 Selections: Annaf, Garrus

ANNAF produced a classy weight-carrying performance to win the Portland last time and in his last visit to this course, he finished an excellent third in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes. His best form has come over shorter but he is in superb form and should be firmly in the mix. GARRUS is generally consistent and will find this easier than when midfield in the Group 1 Sprint Cup last time. He will love conditions and should be thereabouts in what is a seriously wide-open race. He can be shortlisted. 

15:35 Ascot

Leg 4 Selections: Atrium, Bless Him

ATRIUM would ideally be suited to slower ground but he is only a pound above his last winning mark and he goes particularly well in large fields. He could go well at a price from a high draw. BLESS HIM has a good record here and is only 1Ib higher than when he was beaten a short-head into second in the International Stakes over C&D last year. If Hayley Turner can navigate a clear passage, this well-documented handicapper could run another big race. 

16:10 Ascot

Leg 5 Selections: Cell Sa Beela, Breege

The Roger Varian-trained CELL SA BEELA has been highly tried so far in her career in which she was fourth in a Group 2 last year and wasn’t beaten far when third in a Listed event in her latest start in France. She has the form to play a leading role. However, BREEGE is the top-rated in the field and returns to Ascot for the first time since finishing second in the Sandringham Stakes. She has run well in a further three Group/Listed events and must be competitive. 

16:45 Ascot

Leg 6 Selections: Tees Spirit, Mountain Peak 

TEES SPIRIT was disappointing in the Portland but the ground went against him and back on a quicker surface should see a better display under Mia Nicholls. He has lots of speed and could make a bold bid from a favourable high draw in 15, while MOUNTAIN PEAK won off a 10Ib higher mark over C&D last year and bounced back to form with a close-up second here last time. He is a major contender from a good slot in 13 reunited with Tom Marquand.