Jason Weaver: Let’s go to War with this 8/1 chance on Saturday

13:55 Lingfield – Anapurna @ 5/2 

This is a race full of lightly-raced improvers and the selection has any amount of scope to step up dramatically. She was very impressive last time, opening up to win by a wide margin with the trainer John Gosden having told the jockey to set her about her business and find out what we’ve got! From a good family, she bids to stake an Oaks claim here.

14:15 Ascot – Autumn War @ 8/1

The Godolphin runner Setting Sail is bound to be all the rage with a sexy profile, having won a couple already. However, Autumn War made a very eye-catching return in a red-hot Doncaster contest behind a big improver in Fujaira Prince. With a fitness edge over most of the field he could surprise a few. The trip and ground are definitely going to suit him.

14:30 Lingfield – Cap Francais @ 10/3

From an exceptional family that the owner knows particularly well, he looked unlucky when getting lost and unbalanced last time at Epsom. The experience there will stand him in good stead. Aidan O’Brien looks to hold a strong hand with Anthony Van Dyck but Cap Francais would be a solid Derby contender if he was to win here. The owner who went painfully close at Epsom in 2007 with Dragon Dancer who was short headed by Sir Percy in the big one.

14:50 Ascot – Salouen @ 4/7

Let’s hope this season is one to remember for this lad and his team. He’s gone incredibly close on numerous occasions at the highest level, notably in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last season, when only beaten on the bob by Cracksman. It’s a perfect starting point in a small field with give underfoot. He can make all to win under a red-hot Oisin Murphy.

15:25 Ascot – Red Starlight @ 9/4

Looked as good as ever and return at Doncaster when going down fighting behind Sharja bridge who has boosted the form since going close in group 2 company, she was below car last time at Newbury but maybe the quick reappearance was against her, again she won’t mind the underfoot conditions and goes back in against her own sex

15:40 Lingfield – Devant @ 5/1 

Could be the value in a decent little match-up with Petty Baby from the William Haggas stable. She’s already proven at Group 3 level and ran a cracker on her return, not beaten far into fourth in a typical French blanket finish at Maisons-Laffitte. It all comes down to their ability to handle underfoot conditions and she is the proven one in the line-up.  Pretty Baby is unproven on softer ground conditions.

16:00 Ascot – Glorious Journey @ 11/1 

Being drawn in stall 18 gives William Buick options. At the last meeting on the straight track the low numbers were at an advantage and we will have to see if that plays out again. He’s lumping lots of weight, but that is because he is a Group 2 winner in France. It’s no surprise either that the win came under soft conditions – and he will get that on Saturday for only the second time in his career. He could be flying under the radar at double-digit odds.

*Prices correct at time of posting but markets are fluid