1.55pm – Piranesi
PIRANESI has quickly developed into a fairly useful performer for William Haggas, winning a minor event at Yarmouth in July and then finding only one too good under a penalty at Newbury the following month.
That form sets the standard in this line-up and he may yet have even more to offer (still relatively unexposed), so this looks a good opportunity for him to get his head back in front. Wait Forever, who wasn’t seen to best effect on his most recent outing at Yarmouth, is fancied to emerge as the chief threat.
2.30pm – Berkshire Rocco
BERKSHIRE ROCCO took a big step forward when making Galileo Chrome pull out all the stops in the St Leger at Doncaster last time, seeming to relish the extra emphasis on stamina as he stuck to his task in game fashion (beaten just a neck).
This represents a significant drop in grade and it will be disappointing if he can’t take advantage for the Andrew Balding yard that continues in good heart (77% of horses running to form). Albaflora and Without A Fight can battle it out for the minor honours.
3.05pm – Tiger Crusade
TIGER CRUSADE shaped better than the bare result when third over this course and distance last time, conceding first run to the winner and doing well under the circumstances to finish as close as he did, putting in some good late work to get within a couple of lengths.
He’s still unexposed and remains very much one to bear in mind from only 1lb higher, especially if getting a stronger gallop to aim at (will stay further and is usually delivered for a late run). Dirty Rascal and Ebury are others who might have a say in proceedings.
3.40pm – Beholden
BEHOLDEN looked an unlucky loser when second on his handicap debut at Lingfield recently, ultimately going down by just a length after being forced to deliver his challenge from further back than ideal in a steadily-run race.
He is 1lb out of the weights here but remains potentially well-in, improving all the time and highly likely to prove capable of even better still. Rochester House is feared most for the Mark Johnston yard that has won two of the last eight renewals of this race, leaving Natural History to complete the shortlist.
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4.15pm – Tyson Fury
TYSON FURY was out of his depth in the St Leger at Doncaster last time, but he is well worth another chance to confirm the promise of his debut victory at the same venue now back in calmer waters.
That was an eye-catching performance, defying his inexperience to win with a bit in hand, and a return to that sort of level would make him very much the one to beat in this line-up. Golden Rules shaped well when fourth on his debut at Lingfield, suggesting he can improve past Cadeau d’Or to provide the main danger.
4.50pm – King’s Lynn
KING’S LYNN looks to hold sound claims here if bouncing back from a below-par display in the Ayr Silver Cup. His return at Doncaster had been full of promise, showing useful form to fill the runner-up spot behind Starman, who gave the form a boost when following up on his next start in a listed race at York.
The first two pulled clear of the remainder on that occasion, too, and there is more than enough evidence to suggest that a BHA mark of 92 is likely to underestimate King’s Lynn when everything comes together. Society Lion looks the pick of the rest after shaping as if this trip would play more to his strengths when third over seven furlongs here last time.
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Timeform Ascot bet summary – Friday, October 2
1.55pm – Piranesi
2.30pm – Berkshire Rocco
3.05pm – Tiger Crusade
3.40pm – Beholden
4.15pm – Tyson Fury
4.50pm – King’s Lynn
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