UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

Having posted two creditable efforts in defeat since joining Dan Skelton, compensation could be on the cards for LORIKO. The four-year-old arrives on the back of a decent third at Cheltenham and a repeat of that performance may prove sufficient. Joe Tizzard has his string in fine fettle at present and his Chepstow runner-up Kripticjim may give the selection most to think about, ahead of hurdling debutant Reckless Spending.
Prediction : 1st Loriko 2nd Kripticjim 3rd Reckless Spending

Champion Bumper sixth Idaho Sun impressed when making a winning hurdles bow at Fontwell and merits respect in his follow-up bid. However, a 5lb penalty could leave him vulnerable given the strength of DOCTOR BLUE's form. Sam Thomas' charge ran a cracker to just be denied on his timber debut in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham and any improvement will make him tough to hold out. Red Oak may chase the pair home.
Prediction : 1st Doctor Blue 2nd Idaho Sun 3rd Red Oak

Relkeel/Ascot Hurdle winner LUCKY PLACE boasts plenty of high-class form over timber and could be just the sort to excel on his chase bow. Nicky Henderson's charge was comfortably the best of these over the smaller obstacles and is difficult to oppose. Jet To Vegas is rated 16lb inferior to the selection, but last month's first appearance over fences is entitled to bring him on. Beat The Bat ran well in some big handicap hurdles back in the spring.
Prediction : 1st Lucky Place 2nd Jet To Vegas 3rd Beat The Bat

Assuming the forecast going doesn't dampen his enthusiasm, LORD BADDESLEY could be tough to overhaul if he steps forward from his facile reappearance win in a three-runner event at Newbury. That was his first start since undergoing wind surgery and, still potentially well treated off 7lb higher, Anthony Honeyball's 10-year-old has a convincing chance of following up. A winner over this trip at Newton Abbot last month, Royal Jewel is another must for consideration, while Sean Bowen reuniting with Courtland makes him shortlist material.
Prediction : 1st Lord Baddesley 2nd Royal Jewel 3rd Courtland

Manuelito made every yard of the running to score in a decisive manner at Newton Abbot and a 5lb higher mark looks fair for the progressive five-year-old. However, it is hard to ignore FORTUNE DE MER dropping in class after a narrow Grade 2 victory in a first-time hood at Cheltenham. With the headgear retained, Dan Skelton's unexposed gelding shades preference based on his potential to shine at this level. Trustintimes and Poet Laureate are other upwardly-mobile options to consider.
Prediction : 1st Fortune De Mer 2nd Manuelito 3rd Trustintimes

All Authorized and Montregard were both successful when last seen and are noteworthy returning fresh from a break. However, SAFE DESTINATION has a match-fitness edge, which could be beneficial if the ground turns this into a test of resilience. The Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies-trained seven-year-old narrowly failed to back up October's Chepstow success over 3m2f when he filled the runner up slot back over 3m at Kempton. Well clear of the rest that day, the in-form gelding looks the value call here.
Prediction : 1st Safe Destination 2nd All Authorized 3rd Montregard

SAINT JEANNAIS was pulled out of a Listed bumper at Cheltenham last weekend on account of the testing conditions so wouldn't want too much rain to fall, but he was ultra-impressive on his debut at Worcester. Such was his dominance, he is fancied to contend with his penalty in this better race, although Hitintheheadlines strolled home between the flags in Ireland back in February and is a worthy adversary. Double The Dance also landed a point-to-point and sold for 100,000 euros shortly after it.
Prediction : 1st Saint Jeannais 2nd Hitintheheadlines 3rd Double The Dance