1.35 Ascot – Apollo One (Win)
If there is a horse in training that deserves to win a race, then it has to be Apollo One. He is such a consistent performer in big field sprint handicaps, and he recorded another second in the Steward’s Cup at Glorious Goodwood last weekend. The six-year-old gelding also has plenty of form at Ascot, which included a second at the Royal meeting last year in the Wokingham Stakes. Surely his time will come soon, and I think in this field he’s got a very good chance.
2.10 Ascot – Ranch Hand (Each Way)
We’ve not seen much of Ranch Hand over the last couple of years, but he’s now slipped down to a good mark of 95. The last time we saw the son of Dunaden was at Newbury last month, where he finished a respectable sixth in a competitive 2m handicap. I think he probably needed the run that day, and he’ll strip fitter for it here. Also, the jockey booking of Hayley Turner is positive, as she loves this event and has a good relationship with Andrew Balding, riding plenty of winners for him over the years. It looks like they mean business here.
2.45 Ascot – Truthful (Each Way)
I am siding with Hayley Turner again in this race, as she’s booked to ride Truthful for William Haggas. She’s an interesting filly, as we last saw her finishing seventh in a Listed race at Newmarket last month. The daughter of Sea The Stars was given a strange ride that day as she was well at the back and then made up a lot of late ground close home. Even though she has to carry top weight, this will be an easier task for her dropping back into handicap company, and she should have ground in her favour. I don’t think there are any handicap standouts in this race, so she’ll do it for me.
3.20 Ascot – Thunder Blue (Each Way)
Thunder Blue makes plenty of appeal in this line-up. The last time we saw her, she won at the Racing League meeting at Wolverhampton, finding plenty in the finish. However, the time before that, she could only finish ninth at Newmarket, where she was ridden cold. On the other hand, you can forgive that run, as the track favoured front runners, so she never really had a chance of getting involved. Returning to the stiff 6f at Ascot will suit her, as it’s hard to make the running at the Berkshire track. With Marie Velon booked for the ride, I think she’ll be in the mix.
3.55 Ascot – Solomon (Win)
Solomon looks like a potential William Haggas group horse in a handicap. The last time we saw him, he won very easily at Haydock on Sunday, and he runs here without carrying a penalty. He reminds of his half-brother Soulcombe, who went down a very similar route for the same connections, and eventually he was sold to Australia. I wouldn’t be surprised if the son of Siyouni followed the same path. The only thing about him is the fact he has to wear a hood, which I am not always keen on, but he seemed to react to it well last weekend. He looks like he’s the one to beat.
4.30 Ascot – New Image (Win)
New Image flew home like a steam train at Ascot last month to finish second in the International Handicap over 7f. The four-year-old looks like he’s been crying out for a mile, and he is finally going to get it. His trainer David O’Meara just has a habit of finding the right types for these kinds of handicaps, and the son of Frankel looks to be the latest sort. The rest of the opposition looked quite exposed, so I think it’s worth siding with the up and comer.
2.25 Haydock – Diamondonthehill (Each Way)
Diamondonthehill just bumped into an improver last time out when finishing second over 7f at Thirsk last week. The six-year-old gelding has been in terrific form this season, and the step back up to 1m should suit. His last two runs at Haydock have seen him make the frame, and with David Probert booked for the ride, I can see another big run on the card.
3.00 Haydock – Regal Reality (Win)
This race looks very trappy, so I am going to take a flyer with the outsider Regal Reality. It’s clear that his best days are behind him, but every now and again he has a habit of turning up. His last run came at Pontefract when he finished second in a Listed race, which I thought was encouraging. Furthermore, he did well to come from off the pace that day, as the track was favouring front runners. I don’t think this is a deep race, and most of them have questions to answer. At 16/1 Regal Reality is worth a go.
3.40 Newmarket – Mountain Breeze (Win)
Mountain Breeze sets the standard in this race after her third-place effort in the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes last month. The Godolphin filly definitely took a step forward from her Royal Ascot run, and the form of her latest performance has taken a few boosts. Though William Buick isn’t riding, that doesn’t bother me, as Pat Dobbs is an able deputy. He has an all-time 28% strike rate when combining with Charlie Appleby, so he knows what he’s doing. I’ve got a feeling we’ll be seeing the famous blue silks in the winners’ enclosure on Saturday afternoon.
