UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

MILAN TINO will find this easier than the Grade 3 events he contested in France last month. The son of Milan is still of low mileage and having finished a respectable sixth when sent off favourite for the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen on these shores, could be hard to beat at this level. With both Oak Grove and Marvellous Mick needing to find improvement, the promising First Confession may be the biggest threat to the selection, providing Honky Tonk Highway takes up Thursday's engagement at Warwick and doesn't come here.
Prediction : 1st Milan Tino 2nd First Confession 3rd Oak Grove

A Grade 2 winner over hurdles at Cheltenham before possibly running too keenly in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival in March, GIDLEIGH PARK carries huge potential now he switches to fences and Harry Fry's smart prospect can make a big impact here. Bad has to be feared after his promising C&D second, while Rare Edition and Bucksy Des Epeires are also unexposed in this discipline and betting support would be noteworthy.
Prediction : 1st Gidleigh Park 2nd Bad 3rd Rare Edition

The 14-length success posted by CELTIC DINO on his hurdles debut at Wincanton last month suggests the Sam Thomas-trained gelding has the potential to significantly build on the promise he showed by winning two of his three starts in bumpers. With Royal Infantry, Nothing To Sea, Wade Out and Joyeuse also picking up penalties, this should be an informative event, with the first-named of that quartet feared most after a cosy success on his timber bow at Chepstow.
Prediction : 1st Celtic Dino 2nd Royal Infantry 3rd Joyeuse

TERRESITA enjoyed a productive campaign last term and looked the likely winner when coming down two from home in a hot Sandown handicap. Lucy Wadham's progressive mare made amends in a Listed event on her return to action at Carlisle and appears the one to be with, despite her career-high mark. Nocte Volatus arrives in search of a hat-trick and must enter calculations off 5lb higher than for his game Chepstow victory. Persian Time is better than he showed over 2m2f at Kempton and he merits respect.
Prediction : 1st Terresita 2nd Nocte Volatus 3rd Persian Time

BREAK MY SOUL still appears to be learning on the job and looked the likely winner before being denied in the shadows of the post over C&D on her return. Upped 4lb but with the promise of more improvement to come, she gets the vote to atone for that near-miss. Recent comfortable Newbury scorer Aurigny Mill is a danger, for all that a 7lb rise asks a question of him. Gin Coco completes the shortlist off just 2lb higher than when taking this prize 12 months ago.
Prediction : 1st Break My Soul 2nd Aurigny Mill 3rd Gin Coco

REGARDE scored quite comfortably in the end at Kempton and the stiff nature of Ascot should play to his strengths as he attempts to notch up a fourth win over fences. A 6lb rise could prove lenient and he is preferred to Regatta De Blanc, who will appreciate a return to the larger obstacles having let down odds-on backers on her Chepstow reappearance. A winner over hurdles at Kempton when last seen in May, Ideal Des Bordes has the potential to go well in this sphere and the step up in trip is likely to suit too.
Prediction : 1st Regarde 2nd Regatta De Blanc 3rd Ideal Des Bordes

Paul Nicholls has already had one smart newcomer score in these colours this week and CALVINO has the potential to be another. The four-year-old is out of a mare who won a Listed race over fences for the stable and he may have enough to see off the experience of Blues Singer, who has a 4lb penalty to overcome for a taking debut success at Kempton in March. Kdeux Saint Fray and Quaviste must be monitored for market support as they start out for shrewd connections.
Prediction : 1st Calvino 2nd Blues Singer 3rd Quaviste