The BBC are suggesting there is heavy rain due to hit Ascot
on Friday morning and conditions are likely to be on the soft side of good for
today's six-race card.
The feature race is the listed race over 1m 6f for the
classic generation and Berkshire Rocco deserves to get his head in front after
a series of excellent runs in defeat so far this term including when second in
the St Leger to Galileo Chrome at Doncaster last month. It will be disappointing
if he cannot add to his sole success at Chester last August.
Tom Marquand was in the plate when Beholden finished runner
up at Lingfield – polytrack – last time when the Bumper winner finished runner
up for the third successive time on the flat. Marquand rides C'Est No Mour
(3.40) this afternoon and I feel the seven-year-old will appreciate the step up
to 2m for the first time. The gelding has not been out of the first three in
four starts since joining the stable of Simon Hodgson and gave the impression
he would appreciate a step up in distance when a staying on third in a slowly
run race at Yarmouth last time.
Cold Front (4.50) led at the furlong pole when runner up at
Doncaster over 7f last time and William Haggas drops his colt back down in trip
for the concluding 6f handicap for three-year-olds only. The each way
recommendation – 5/1 with William Hill – will appreciate any rain that hits the
track and this stiff track should suit.
Her Majesty's King's Lynn was a beaten favourite in the
Bronze Cup at Ayr last month, but the weight of money suggested he was
considered well treated from a mark of 94. He has been dropped 2lbs for that
effort and looks a big danger for Andrew Balding.
Wind and rain forecast for Fontwell Park's jumps card and I
am looking forward to the chase debut of IK Brunel (1.00) who won at the Sussex
track over hurdles last October. The selection has the scope to make up into a
top-class staying chaser although I am not convinced connections would want to
see too much rain despite winning form on soft ground.
Coolanly has valuable chase experience for red hot Fergal
O'Brien but he did not look the most natural of fencers in two starts last term
although he looks sure to have been extensively schooled by his excellent
handler.
Miss Heritage will appreciate the forecast rain and she did
win first time out last season. A market move would be worth noting although
the yard of Lucy Wadham have been quiet of late.
First Lord De Cuet (1.35) is another with winning form on
soft ground and the grey was beaten less than a length by the mare Ebony Jewell
at Haydock at the turn of the year giving 6lbs to the winner who is now rated
126. With that in mind David Pipe six-year-old could be well treated off a
similar mark this afternoon. The stable has been among the winners of late, but
you would not say they were firing on all cylinders just yet.
In the feature handicap chase over a trip just shy of 2m 6f
Erik Le Rouge has every chance of maintaining his excellent record fresh for
Jane Williams although he would not want the ground to turn too soft. The six-year-old
has won first time out for the last couple of seasons but I just give the nod
to Highway One O One (2.10) who has had his wind operated on since
disappointing at the Cheltenham Festival back in March.
Chris Gordon's eight-year-old has yet to win beyond an
extended two miles but ran some good races in defeat last term and has been
dropped 3lbs in the weights. The yard has not had any runners over the summer, but
the hope is that this has long been the target with the stable doubly
represented.
No rain forecast for Hexham and Pagero (2.55) will
appreciate the forecast good ground and can continue his progression through
the handicap ranks for Jonjo O'Neill. The selection has won three of his last
four and was just touched off at Fontwell last month in his bid for a
four-timer. A 2lbs rise may not prevent him returning to winning ways.
Some Reign (3.30) has his quirks – has refused to race twice
– but I feel he is well treated despite the steadier of 11st 12lbs in the 2m
handicap chase. Rose Dobbin has run a couple in recent weeks, and they have run
both well. The ew recommendation is 13/2 with William Hill.
