ASCOT BETTING TIPS:
14:15 – Million Thanks
14:50 – Impressive Act
15:25 – Sniper’s Eye
16:00 – Alpina Express
16:35 – Lion Kingdom
17:10 – Popmaster
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
14:15 – MILLION THANKS
An open handicap and top-weight MILLION THANKS is a tentative selection. He hasn’t won for over a year, but has shown improved form for these connections of late, running a career best when finding only an improving filly too strong at Yarmouth two starts back. He left the impression he was still in good form at Pontefract last time, too, though the step up to a mile and a quarter appeared to stretch him. This track and trip should suit him better and he is on a mark he is capable of winning from. Mars Magic lacks experience for a race like this but makes obvious appeal as a lightly-raced sort against exposed opponents.
14:15 – IMPRESSIVE ACT
IMPRESSIVE ACT is bred in the purple – out of Fred Darling winner Dabyah – and he shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on his debut at York in May. Admittedly, he hasn’t progressed as expected in two starts since, proving expensive to follow, but he appears to still be learning on the job and wasn’t helped by racing wide on the track at Haydock last time. Impressive Act has been gelded since, returns to six furlongs, and is potentially well treated now entering nurseries based on his debut form. Recent winners Soldier's Gold and Quickfire are both going the right way so they head the dangers.
15:25 – SNIPER’S EYE
SNIPER’S EYE was an expensive purchase at the breeze-ups last year and he was well backed for his debut at Wolverhampton in January, shaping well but looking in need of the experience. He was gelded afterwards and has improved with each run since, taking a big step forward when runner-up to the exciting Imperial Emperor at Newmarket last month. That looks a strong piece of form and Sniper’s Eye may have been let in very lightly for his handicap debut. He is drawn well and makes plenty of appeal given he should have even more to offer. Oliver Show has shown signs of temperament but seemed well suited by the step up to this trip when scoring at Kempton 16 days ago and may do better still.
16:00 – ALPINA EXPRESS
ALPINA EXPRESS has proved a totally different proposition since entering handicaps, opening her account with plenty in hand at Ayr and following up under a penalty in similar fashion at Carlisle just six days later. Alpina Express took her form up another notch when completing a hat-trick at Windsor 18 days ago, leading on the bridle three furlongs out and quickly asserting soon afterwards. The handicapper has hit her with a 10 lb rise for that success, but she is clearly improving in leaps and bounds at present, and is taken to complete a four-timer. Sunset Point deserves a mention too, while Divina Grace has made a positive start to her three-year-old campaign, so she also merits consideration.
16:35 – LION KINGDOM
LION KINGDOM built on previous promise when opening his account over the extended mile at Wolverhampton on his final start last season and he shaped well on his return from seven months off in a competitive handicap at Newmarket in April. That form has worked out well and Lion Kingdom didn’t get the clearest run, having to angle out for a run but doing all of his best work at the finish. We haven’t seen him since, but he will relish this step up in trip, and appeals as being on a competitive mark. Intricacy is due to go up 3 lb for his recent Ffos Las second and is feared most ahead of Perfect Thunder.
17:10 – POPMASTER
A few in with chances but the vote goes to POPMASTER, who turned in his best effort of the year when going down by just a short head at Newbury last month and he is potentially well treated back at a course he goes particularly well at. Haymaker possibly didn’t handle the idiosyncrasies of Epsom last time, so he’s put forward as the main threat back on a more conventional track, while Temple Bruer and Ingra Tor can battle for minor honours.
ASCOT BETTING TIPS:
14:15 – Million Thanks
14:50 – Impressive Act
15:25 – Sniper’s Eye
16:00 – Alpina Express
16:35 – Lion Kingdom
17:10 – Popmaster
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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