UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

NEVER ENOUGH shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up at Windsor to a rival who had performed well behind Albany winner Libertango on debut. That form sets a decent standard and Ed Walker's colt makes a lot of appeal in his bid to go one better. Tumishi is likely to be in the mix following his fourth at Nottingham at the start of June, while Perfect Strike, a 280,000-euro purchase at the Arqana May Breeze-Up sale, and Izuba are the most interesting of the newcomers.
Prediction : 1st Never Enough 2nd Tumishi 3rd Perfect Strike

There was a lot to like about DARK ISSUE's victory on her racecourse bow at Goodwood and she built on that when a fine fourth in the Albany at the Royal meeting, with Dee's Funny Girl back in sixth. She may well have finished closer with a clearer run and further improvement is expected. Alta Regina finished sixth in the Queen Mary and is a fascinating contender now trying 6f for the first time. It will be interesting to see if the second and third from the Windsor Castle, Moonrise and Harlequin Sky, back those big-priced efforts up.
Prediction : 1st Dark Issue 2nd Alta Regina 3rd Dees Funny Girl

Touleen had a luckless run when runner-up in the Coronation behind Precise and the ease in grade appears to give her the opportunity to get her head back in front. That said, the claims of KON TIKI are difficult to ignore. Beaten three-quarters of a length at Goodwood by Blue Bolt, she finished fourth to the same rival in the Duke Of Cambridge before Andrew Balding's filly improved further to get the better of Precise in the Falmouth. The booking of Ryan Moore is noteworthy and she may prove too strong for the three-year-old brigade. Skydance hasn't run since claiming the scalp of Oaks heroine Thundering On in a Leopardstown maiden in April. However, she kept good company as a juvenile and may have more to offer.
Prediction : 1st Kon Tiki 2nd Touleen 3rd Skydance

CALANDAGAN didn't appreciate testing conditions in the Coronation Cup, but the brilliant gelding put that behind him to record a narrow success in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Francis Henri-Graffard's charge is arguably a more durable animal than he was when winning this 12 months ago and, despite having to contend with a four-strong Aidan O'Brien assault headed by Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini, the son of Gleneagles can emerge victorious. Stable companion and another former winner of this contest Goliath was very unfortunate in the Hardwicke and is more than capable, and so is Japanese raider Masquerade Ball, who was only beaten a head by Calandagan in the Japan Cup.
Prediction : 1st Calandagan 2nd Benvenuto Cellini 3rd Goliath