UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

BEAT THE BAT shaped with plenty of promise in bumpers last season and made a bright start to his hurdling career when beaten three-quarters of a length in second at Chepstow last month. He and the winner, who looks well above average, pulled nicely clear of the rest that day and normal improvement could make him tough to beat. There are a number of potential dangers, though, including Ideal Des Bordes, who was third in a hot bumper at Warwick in May, and point-to-point scorer Welcom To Cartries.
Prediction : 1st Beat The Bat 2nd Ideal Des Bordes 3rd Welcom To Cartries

Unbeaten hurdler The Carpenter impressed during his last campaign and Nicky Henderson's charge is sure to prove popular now tackling fences for the first time. The seven-year-old isn't taken lightly, but MONVIEL may be the better handicapped of the two. The son of Montmartre found only the smart JPR One too strong on his chase/seasonal bow at Newton Abbot last month and that experience could prove pivotal. Samarrive also enters calculations on his return to this sphere.
Prediction : 1st Monviel 2nd The Carpenter 3rd Samarrive

Inthewaterside maintained his unbeaten record with a narrow success at Aintree last month. It's hard to gauge the strength of that form due to the omission of hurdles, but he's in excellent hands and should continue to progress. That said, a chance is taken on DODDIETHEGREAT. Nicky Henderson's charge also arrives in a bid to extend his unblemished record and, though the gelded son of Fame And Glory hasn't been seen since scoring at Kempton in November of 2021, this looks another winnable opportunity. Cloud Dancer can follow the pair home.
Prediction : 1st Doddiethegreat 2nd Inthewaterside 3rd Cloud Dancer

The Venetia Williams team have started the season in excellent form and Fire Dancer, who steps outside of novice company for the first time, must be considered with that in mind. Preference, however, is for FLEGMATIK. Dan Skelton's charge finished third to Your Darling is this race 12 months ago, but he's 5lb better off today and is entitled to improve for his recent pipe-opener (running well when hampered and unseating). Others to note include Mackenberg and Fidelio Vallis.
Prediction : 1st Flegmatik 2nd Fire Dancer 3rd Mackenberg

Faivoir's victory in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March is a standout piece of form and Dan Skelton's eight-year-old makes the shortlist, despite being pulled up in a similar race over course and distance 20 days ago. The quick turnaround suggests he has come out of that race well and better can be expected today. However, the improving JILAIJONE is on an upwards trajectory and may be able to make the most of a competitive current mark. Ballygeary also enters calculations as a potential improver.
Prediction : 1st Jilaijone 2nd Faivoir 3rd Ballygeary

TEA CLIPPER lost little in defeat when finding only the highly-rated Stolen Silver too good on his reappearance at Chepstow last month and a 2lb drop in the ratings, as well as being eased in class, may be enough for Tom Lacey's gelding to get his head in front. Unanswered Prayers looked set to place over C&D recently but for for falling at the last. The seven-year-old is feared most if none the worse for that spill, while the progressive Switch Hitter is also respected.
Prediction : 1st Tea Clipper 2nd Unanswered Prayers 3rd Switch Hitter

A case can be made for each of the 10 declared runners here, with ROCCO ROYALE shading the verdict. This improving gelding comfortably beat a useful sort (won twice since) over 2m3f at Fontwell last time and this step up in trip could potentially unlock another gear. Like the selection, Rebel Intentions should benefit from his conditional jockey's claim and the recent course scorer must enter calculations. Scamallach Liath and Spring Note are others to consider in what looks a tricky puzzle for punters to solve.
Prediction : 1st Rocco Royale 2nd Rebel Intentions 3rd Scamallach Liath