UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

There has been a fair amount of support for LULAMBA in the ante-post market for the Triumph Hurdle since the turn of the year, as he won his only start at Auteuil in October. Nicky Henderson boasts a terrific record with juveniles over the years and this may be another potential star recruit following on from Sir Gino last season. Mondo Man finished fifth in the Prix du Jockey Club and brings a strong level of Flat form to the table, while Viyanni and St Pancras complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Lulamba 2nd Mondo Man 3rd Viyanni

IN D'OR was a useful type over hurdles last season and looked to have improved when making a successful chasing bow at Taunton in November. The seven-year-old is in the right hands to progress further and gets the vote ahead of the hat-trick seeking Rockinastorm, who went up 3lb for scoring at Wetherby last month. Unanswered Prayers didn't quite get home over 3m5f in the London National at Sandnown, but that was a commendable effort and he isn't discounted dropping in trip.
Prediction : 1st In dOr 2nd Rockinastorm 3rd Unanswered Prayers

KARGESE was one of the leading juveniles last season with a brace of Grade 1 successes coming either side of two fine efforts in defeat at Cheltenham and Aintree. The form has been franked by both Majborough and Sir Gino and this appears to be a nice starting point for Willie Mullins' mare. Take No Chances ran extremely well when giving weight to a pair of progressive rivals at Cheltenham latest and she is expected to be competitive along with Casa No Mento.
Prediction : 1st Kargese 2nd Take No Chances 3rd Casa No Mento

With three previous wins over these fences, returning to this familiar venue should suit MARTATOR now he steps back up in trip after finding a couple too good in the Desert Orchid at Kempton over Christmas. Kotmask and Scarface are closely matched on recent form and also hold solid credentials. However, perhaps Hitman could be the best each-way alternative given this represents a drop in class.
Prediction : 1st Martator 2nd Hitman 3rd Kotmask

Nicky Henderson has won two of the last five renewals and Bo Zenith and Doddiethegreat are solid contenders for that stable. However, Fergal O'Brien could be responsible for this year's winner as KAMSINAS shades preference based on his scope for further progression. The eight-year-old won a similar race at Aintree in October and was far from disgraced when fourth at Haydock most recently. The admirable Goshen and Georgi Girl add further spice to the race.
Prediction : 1st Kamsinas 2nd Bo Zenith 3rd Doddiethegreat

The top-class Energumene returned from a 593-day absence to score easily in a Grade 2 at Cork last month and although he's worthy of the utmost respect, this is all about JONBON. Nicky Henderson's star chaser recorded an eighth Grade 1 triumph when bolting up in the Tingle Creek last month and with no signs of slowing down, he's expected to do the business. It was much more like it from Edwardstone in the Desert Orchid, but he still has plenty to find in this company.
Prediction : 1st Jonbon 2nd Energumene 3rd Edwardstone

I'M A LUMBERJACK just failed to beat a progressive rival on his hurdling bow at Bangor in November but, upped in trip at Warwick the following month, Alan King's gelding made no mistake. The son of Jack Hobbs looks set to progress further and he gets the nod, although Country Park had made stylish headway before coming to grief two from home over C&D recently, and he is a big player given a clean round. Others to note include Laurens Bay and Jax Junior.
Prediction : 1st Im A Lumberjack 2nd Country Park 3rd Laurens Bay