Racing
Ascot Place 6 preview | 12th May
13.50 – Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap – 7f
SCHOLARSHIP made a winning debut at Haydock and while he was well held in his next two starts, including in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes, he made a winning return at Newbury three weeks ago on soft ground. He is up 7Ib but should make a bold bid under Tom Marquand. I fear the in-form RACINGBREAKS RYDER, who has won his last three and has won on soft ground too. This demands more, but he is going the right way and could take some beating.
Selections: Scholarship, Racingbreaks Ryder
14.25 – Peroni Nastro Azzurro Apprentice Handicap – 1m7f
BLAZEON FIVE won three times in succession on the all-weather late-last year and has remained in good form without success since. He was well held in third off a much lower mark when last seen on the turf but has improved a chunk and could be well suited to the soft ground. COGITAL is my main pick though, who was second at Doncaster when last seen on heavy going and is only 1Ib above his last winning mark. He ran well to finish third in this last year despite being hampered and could make amends.
Selections: Blazeon Five, Cogital
15.00 – British EBF 40th Anniversary Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes – 5f
DAWN CHARGER made a promising debut at Pontefract when second by a length to the potentially smart filly World Of Darcy and is sure to know more about her job here. Karl Burke has been in flying form of late with plenty of winners, so this filly is fancied to make her presence felt with more to come. THANKSBUTNOTHANKS represents a trainer and owner who have made an excellent start to the season with two-year-old’s. This daughter of Ten Sovereigns has leading claims on her debut. This race should prove informative.
Selections: Dawn Charger, Thanksbutnothanks
15.35 – Dual Maiden Fillies’ Stakes – 1m1f
ROCHA DO LEAO outran her 80/1 price tag on debut when fifth of 16 at Newmarket and interestingly William Buick takes the ride. This filly is sure to appreciate the step up in trip and is the one to beat. SO FARHH SO GOOD also shaped well on her debut, finishing a staying-on fourth at Lingfield and had leading claims with improvement to come.
Selections: Rocha Do Leao, So Farhh So Good
16.10 – Peroni Nastro Azzurro ‘Live Every Moment’ Handicap – 6f
CHAIRMANOFTHEBOARD is a regular in good-quality handicaps and was runner-up in first-time cheekpieces in a big field Newmarket handicap six days ago. He drops in grade from the same mark and has form on soft ground, so he could be capable of going one better with a similar effort to last time. SIR THOMAS GRESHAM came from miles back to be nearest the finish in fourth at Newbury and should figure from a 1Ib lower mark. He won his only previous start on soft ground as well.
Selections: Chairmanoftheboard, Sir Thomas Gresham
16.45 – Just Around The Corner Ascot Handicap – 6f
NOGO’S DREAM has improved since his debut effort at Goodwood, finishing second at Lingfield before opening his account at Wolverhampton. He was last seen running well to finish fourth at Newmarket in a stronger race and, with William Buick booked to ride, he is fancied to make a serious impact. FOX MASTER won on debut at Newcastle and his latest fifth back there has worked out well with the fourth winning off a mark of 86. An opening mark of 76 is lenient and he could be tough to beat.
Selections: Nogo’s Dream, Fox Master
