UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

Connections of RIVER CARD took an interesting route by introducing the son of Hello Youmzain at Deauville. The gelding justified the placement by finishing a length second to another well-regarded UK raider on the day and he can make that experience count. Maltese Cross, Study Of Words and Echo Of Stars are all nicely-bred debutants to monitor closely in the betting.
Prediction : 1st River Card 2nd Maltese Cross 3rd Study Of Words

CROWN OF OAKS made a fine start to his handicap career with a cosy success when stepped up to this trip at Ayr. A 6lb rise leaves him with plenty of room to move and the son of Wootton Bassett can make the most of getting weight from each of his rivals. Wave Rider has also won over this distance and is another key player, while Asmen Warrior has finished second on both previous starts for James Owen and is a potential improver with a visor added.
Prediction : 1st Crown Of Oaks 2nd Wave Rider 3rd Asmen Warrior

None of the last 10 favourites have been successful in this race. However, NATIVE WARRIOR, priced up as an early market leader, could well buck the trend. The Karl Burke-trained four-year-old is still unexposed over 7f and had an excuse (hampered) when he finished third behind Great Acclaim at Goodwood. Armed with an 8lb pull, he can turn that form around. Bobby Bennu also looks an ideal type for this race, while a lengthy shortlist of each-way contenders includes Akkadian Thunder, Tarkhan and Telemark.
Prediction : 1st Native Warrior 2nd Great Acclaim 3rd Bobby Bennu

Push The Limit has plenty of scope for further progress after making a winning handicap debut over 1m3f at Glorious Goodwood. Rogue Millions came up short in Listed company at Hamilton, but is entitled to respect on his Carlisle victory on soft ground before that. TENABILITY's ability to handle the underfoot conditions has to be taken on trust, but the son of Frankel landed a C&D double with his latest success and there looks more to come from him.
Prediction : 1st Tenability 2nd Push The Limit 3rd Rogue Millions

NOCHE CLASICA returned the decisive winner at Goodwood on her handicap debut and first start for James Owen's yard. She can continue on her upward curve and defy a 7lb rise. Abloom won a novice race at Ripon in fine style and that points to a bold bid on her handicap bow, while Protest holds every chance off her current mark back in handicap company. Asteverdi goes well on soft ground and is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Noche Clasica 2nd Abloom 3rd Protest

Five of the last seven winners of this race have been three-year-olds and BINHAREER looks the pick of that age group this time. Runner-up at Newmarket last month and upped 3lb, William Haggas' grey has won over further on soft and may outstay his opponents in these conditions. Double Rush has registered two victories this season and is an obvious danger after his Hamilton second. Listed winner Candy is a lively outsider on his favoured ground.
Prediction : 1st Binhareer 2nd Double Rush 3rd Candy

Vespasian can go close, assuming he improves for his first start of the season when second over C&D at the Shergar Cup meeting last month, but he comes up against the hat-trick seeking SOLAR ACLAIM. Julie Camacho's gelding won at Chester over 6f and then at Yarmouth over this trip, both on soft, and an extra 4lb may not be enough to stop him. Woolhampton handles any ground and is another to consider after last week's easy Sandown success.
Prediction : 1st Solar Aclaim 2nd Vespasian 3rd Woolhampton