UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

WEST HILL VERDE outran odds of 33/1 to finish third in a Grade 2 at Kelso a month ago and a reproduction of that level of form would make him hard to beat at this level. That said, Gnomon has been knocking hard on the door of late, including a neck defeat at Taunton last time, and he should not be discounted. The rest all have claims, but The Egyptian Ginge is the pick of them.
Prediction : 1st West Hill Verde 2nd Gnomon 3rd The Egyptian Ginge

SHERBORNE had 14 lengths in hand over his nearest rival when scoring at Exeter 12 days ago and Joe Tizzard's gelding is hard to oppose on the back of that performance, despite a 7lb rise. Noahsgreatrainbow hit the crossbar at Doncaster on his most recent outing and may have to settle for second once again, while Limetree Boy is the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Sherborne 2nd Noahsgreatrainbow 3rd Limetree Boy

MUNSIF has caught the eye on multiple occasions over hurdles in recent months and it would be no surprise to see him get off the mark over timber now switched to handicap company. Mojito Des Mottes is another likely to benefit from entering handicaps and he should not be underestimated. Senator (first) and Macshadow Des Crai (second) are closely matched based on their Market Rasen encounter last month and both make the shortlist as a result.
Prediction : 1st Munsif 2nd Mojito Des Mottes 3rd Senator

Having run out a ready winner at Wincanton earlier this month, Haas Boy must enter calculations in his current vein of form. However, an 8lb hike from the assessor does demand more of the nine-year-old and it could be worth taking a chance on COBBLER'S BOY. Dan Skelton's inmate has crept down the ratings and returning to a sounder surface could see him back in the winner's enclosure. Pure Carbon is the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Cobblers Boy 2nd Haas Boy 3rd Pure Carbon

With five defeats to her name this season, HARD DEALT has proved expensive to follow. Although a 3lb higher mark for her latest second at Haydock will only make life tougher for Henry Daly's mare, she is unexposed over this sort of trip and could be poised to repay her supporters. Kilworth was too bad to be true when pulled up at Plumpton 34 days ago and better is expected over this longer distance. Handicap debutant Joyau Allen is a feasible alternative.
Prediction : 1st Hard Dealt 2nd Kilworth 3rd Joyau Allen

Having only been collared by reopposing winner Copperhead at Newbury 29 days ago, GABBYS CROSS is taken to exact his revenge. The 11-year-old should relish a drop back in distance and the booking of champion jockey Sean Bowen catches the eye. Certainly Red returned from a 455-day layoff with a very respectable third at Sandown earlier this month and he may serve the most resistance to the selection.
Prediction : 1st Gabbys Cross 2nd Certainly Red 3rd Copperhead

Dramatic Encore looked inconvenienced by a drop back in distance when landing the spoils in a four-runner affair at Plumpton recently and she merits respect in her follow-up bid. Although a return to an extended 2m5f should suit, a rise in class does demand more of the six-year-old, and BRAVE KNIGHT is more compelling. Paul Nicholls' charge got the better of a subsequent winner at Taunton 80 days ago and a 5lb higher mark looks surmountable. Ludlow scorer Royal Way is also worth a second look.
Prediction : 1st Brave Knight 2nd Dramatic Encore 3rd Royal Way