UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

Tanager defied a slow beginning to make a winning debut at Chelmsford towards the end of March and the manner of victory suggested he may have more to offer for the switch to turf. Rock Hunter won nicely at Chantilly on his first career start and is likely to go well, but it wouldn't be a huge surprise if the sole newcomer DILIGENTLY were to be successful. A 100,000-pound purchase at Goffs UK Premier Yearling sale, his trainer won this contest with a debutant in 2018 and the son of Harry Angel comes from an excellent Cheveley Park family.
Prediction : 1st Diligently 2nd Tanager 3rd Rock Hunter

MALJOOM has only seen the racetrack once since an unlucky fourth here in the St James's Palace at Royal Ascot in 2022, when only beating one rival home in the Joel Stakes at Newmarket last September. It augurs well that the five-year-old is out early in the season and William Haggas' charge is expected to land this en route to bigger targets that lay ahead. Epictetus has conditions to suit based on his Group 3 success at Goodwood last August when claiming the scalp of Nostrum, while Britannia Stakes winner Docklands might not be done improving yet.
Prediction : 1st Maljoom 2nd Epictetus 3rd Docklands

COLTRANE returns to defend his crown having enjoyed a fine spell during last summer with a fine runner-up display in the Gold Cup and victory in the Lonsdale Cup at York. His form tailed off at the back end of last season and, while disappointing on his return in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan, the seven-year-old is more than capable of bouncing back, especially in first-time cheekpieces. Last year's Goodwood Cup hero Quickthorn is sure to be on the front end and is respected along with Trueshan.
Prediction : 1st Coltrane 2nd Quickthorn 3rd Trueshan

An open event in which Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint third Starlust will look to bounce back to winning form having posted a couple of solid efforts at Meydan this year. Karl Burke has a decent record in this contest and Got To Love A Grey, who was a touch underwhelming in a Group 3 at Chantilly last month, must be respected. The vote goes to EL BODON, who finished an excellent second in the Greenham 11 days ago and looks to hold strong claims on that piece of form, especially as this stiff finish should suit.
Prediction : 1st El Bodon 2nd Starlust 3rd Got To Love A Grey

A chance can be taken on CELSIUS, who landed the corresponding event in 2022. Tom Clover's charge posted a below-par showing on the all-weather when last seen in November, but the return to turf will suit, as will ground conditions, and the son of Dragon Pulse looks competitively treated. Burning Cash continues to slide down the weights himself and must be respected now eased in class, while Moulin Booj could prove to be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Celsius 2nd Burning Cash 3rd Moulin Booj

FAIR WIND rounded off last season with a comfortable win at Windsor in October and Owen Burrows' unexposed four-year-old might have what it takes to defy a 5lb rise in the handicap. Kuwait City was on target at Yarmouth 18 days ago and he remains fairly treated nudged up 2lb in the weights, while others to note include Isle Of Lismore and Change Sings.
Prediction : 1st Fair Wind 2nd Kuwait City 3rd Isle Of Lismore

The Charlie Appleby stable has made an excellent start to the season and they could have a decent newcomer on their hands with DIAMOND RAIN, a daughter of Oaks winner Dancing Rain and half-sister to the talented Magic Lily. She is narrowly preferred to fellow debutant Shaha, who cost a pretty penny at the sales for last year's winning trainer but may need further in time going by her pedigree. A comfortable winner on debut at Chelmsford last month for which she carries a 6lb penalty, Aquacell sets the standard, while Chorus is another open to improvement after a solid runner-up effort at Wolverhampton.
Prediction : 1st Diamond Rain 2nd Shaha 3rd Aquacell

VULTAR has been in terrific form of late on the all-weather and, if he can transfer that to the turf, he must be the one to beat with Oliver Timms taking off a valuable 7lb. Back to winning ways in determined fashion at Chelmsford, Two Tempting will look to do much better than he did in this contest last year, while Canoodled has performed well in Listed company here before and should come on for her Newmarket spin. Assessment and Repertoire are capable of being in the mix as well.
Prediction : 1st Vultar 2nd Two Tempting 3rd Canoodled