UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

The hat-trick seeking Kotari appeals under a 5lb penalty after a 10-length romp at Salisbury last weekend and has little to fear from stepping up from 1m2f so is a must for the shortlist. However, HAKU is already a multiple winner at this trip on artificial surfaces and, still unexposed on turf, this venue provides an ideal stage for the five-year-old to show his worth after a string of improved all-weather efforts. Great Bedwyn is another for consideration.
Prediction : 1st Haku 2nd Kotari 3rd Great Bedwyn

Flying Finn and My Margie are both on for three-timers after making good strides since the start of the campaign. Each warrants close inspection but face no easy task, given both are set to race from out of the handicap. With that in mind, the votes goes to the class-dropping TOPANGA, who should find this easier than her reappearance task in the Fred Darling at Newbury. Stepping up in trip could also be a source of improvement for the Andrew Balding-trained filly.
Prediction : 1st Topanga 2nd Flying Finn 3rd My Margie

The classy Mostabshir is a very likely type for a race of this nature and he should be thereabouts given he can sit handy to pick off his rivals from a stands-side position in the stalls. However, C&D winner PEARLE D'OR will have a choice of where to go from his middle draw and that ability to switch with the pace could be key. Obviously, there are dangers aplenty and the likes of Hickory, Merlin The Wizard, Ropey Guest and Popmaster all have chances in a highly competitive renewal.
Prediction : 1st Pearle Dor 2nd Mostabshir 3rd Hickory

The first progeny of star two-year-old Pinatubo, HALLASAN shaped with encouragement when only beaten a length into third on his debut at Newmarket. Charlie Appleby's colt should come on plenty for that outing and he gets the vote ahead of newcomer Aysgarth, who cost 180,000gns and hails from a yard that knows how to ready one first time out. Reposado and Xanthe cannot be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Hallasan 2nd Aysgarth 3rd Reposado

Narrowly denied on his last two starts, including at Epsom on his return, MIDAIR should relish going up in trip being by Frankel, and the booking of William Buick catches the eye as he looks to break the maiden on his handicap debut. A comfortable winner at Ayr on his penultimate outing and given a spin at Doha since, City Burglar is a key player, along with the hat-trick-seeking Magico. Similar to the selection, Sindoriyno is another who should appreciate going up to 1m2f after an eyecatching effort when staying on late in the piece at Wolverhampton.
Prediction : 1st Midair 2nd Magico 3rd City Burglar

A tricky puzzle to solve, but a chance is taken on the well-related Oaks entrant WARDA JAMILA. Andrew Balding has been in fine form of late and this half-sister to top-class stayer Coltrane looks likely to have a say off an initial mark of 80. The progressive Ciara Pearl is feared most after a hat-trick of wins already this term, but another 5lb rise could be one step too far. Turn Up The Heat isn't easily ruled out on her first taste of handicap action.
Prediction : 1st Warda Jamila 2nd Ciara Pearl 3rd Turn Up The Heat

Plenty of chances in this deep field, with slight preference for MISTER BLUEBIRD, who arrives 3lb below his last winning mark. Heather Main's charge made a pleasing reappearance over 5f here and this step up in trip, coupled with a slight ease by the handicapper, can help him reverse the form with Buccabay, who finished a length and a half ahead of him in second on that occasion. Dark Side Thunder and Capote's Dream are also worthy of a closer look.
Prediction : 1st Mister Bluebird 2nd Buccabay 3rd Dark Side Thunder