UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

Brian Meehan's King of Montenegro is the only one with racecourse experience and he ran well enough to finish fifth at Bath after a slow start to suggest he can have a say. Cuban Heels is born to be speedy as a son of Havana Grey, but VICTORY GOLD looks interesting. Saeed bin Suroor's colt is bred to be better over further, but must have been showing the pace needed to be entered here.
Prediction : 1st Victory Gold 2nd King of Montenegro 3rd Cuban Heels

Four-year-olds have won six of the last nine runnings and they have solid chances here with the likes of Zgharta, who was last seen in Listed class at Saint-Cloud, and perhaps Song N Dance, who travelled well at Southwell before being outgunned late on when returning after five months off. However, POLITELY has won her last two easily on the all-weather and gets a 13lb age allowance, which may tip the scales in her favour.
Prediction : 1st Politely 2nd Zgharta 3rd Song N Dance

Storm Free is worth attention now that he has a Newmarket comeback under his belt, although he does need to improve after that sixth placing. MUDBIR was unlucky when seventh at Goodwood last summer after failing to get a clear run and if he gets the breaks, he could make amends on his first start since. Nostrum makes his debut for Mick Appleby and is very well handicapped if he can be brought back to form, while Defence Minister also warrants consideration.
Prediction : 1st Mudbir 2nd Nostrum 3rd Storm Free

Despite being turned over on his handicap bow at Newbury, there were still plenty of positives to be taken from VALEDICTORY's narrow defeat. All of his efforts over 1m2f have suggested there will be further improvement to come up in trip and victory would potentially make him a leading hope for a handicap back here at the Royal meeting. Bulletin was just behind the selection last month and is expected to be competitive once again. However, there could be bigger threats in the shape of Al Wasl Storm, who ran in the Derby and Queen's Vase before being successful in handicap company at Newbury, and Opportunity after a gelding operation.
Prediction : 1st Valedictory 2nd Al Wasl Storm 3rd Opportunity

DEVIL'S PEAK was an unlucky loser on his return to action at Kempton and the son of Camelot makes plenty of appeal in his bid to go one better, despite a 3lb rise from the handicapper. Waterford Castle has been knocking on the door with a trio of runner-up efforts, including at the Craven meeting last time, and first-time cheekpieces can further aid his cause. Sintra appears best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Devils Peak 2nd Waterford Castle 3rd Sintra

NAGA made an impressive winning seasonal debut at Doncaster. That was only her second attempt at 1m2f so it's reasonable to expect further improvement from the Dubawi filly and she can continue her upward trajectory representing last year's winning connections. Wolverhampton runner-up Tryst looks on a fair mark and may well improve for this extra test of stamina. She holds every chance, while Bint Kilfrush and Venetia could also prove competitive now handicapping.
Prediction : 1st Naga 2nd Tryst 3rd Bint Kilfrush

JUAN LES PINS is holding his form well and struck at Thirsk before finishing a close-up third at Newbury. A similar effort should see Mick Appleby's sprinter bang there at the finish once again in this less competitive contest. Newcastle fourth Cajetan also drops in class and returns to the turf with a decent shout, while Lord Roxby will be sharper for last month's comeback and is no forlorn hope back over 6f.
Prediction : 1st Juan Les Pins 2nd Cajetan 3rd Lord Roxby