Horse Racing Tips: Rory Delargy’s Saturday punts for ITV Racing at Ascot

Rory's raring to go on British Champions Day at Ascot and he likes Checkandchallenge in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (15:05).

Rory Delargy 2023

By / Horse Racing Tips / 1 year ago

Rory Delargy Horse Racing Tips:

13:15 – Trueshan
13:50 – Rohaan (each way)
14:25 – Bluestocking
15:05 – Checkandchallenge (each way)
15:45 – King of Steel
16:25 – Awaal

*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.

13:15 – Trueshan

A switch to hurdles was mooted for Trueshan after he finished behind Coltrane in the Sagaro Stakes here in May, but a break after that lacklustre effort has proved a blessing. Keen after a break in the Doncaster Cup, an excellent tactical ride by Hollie Doyle saw him take revenge on the usually consistent Coltrane, who finished a disappointing last of five, with Sweet William and Broome filling the places.

Trueshan has since gone on to win the Prix du Cadran, and comes here with the fizziness out of him, but fresh enough to think he can run to his best on ground which will suit him well.

13:50 – Rohaan (each way)

Rohaan has ground to make up with Kinross, to whom he was fourth last year, but he makes plenty of each-way appeal with the race sure to be run to suit his come-from-behind style. He has a full Ascot record of 110114071, goes on any ground, and was first home of those who raced on the far side last year when the race was dominated by those drawn high. He was back to his best when giving weight all round in the Iron Stand Handicap over C&D three weeks ago and is finding his form at just the right time.

14:25 – Bluestocking

Bluestocking looks overpriced on balance with the softening ground likely to suit her better than most. Ralph Beckett’s filly was a fine third in the Ribblesdale here on just her third career start and finished on the heels of Savethelastdance in both the Irish Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks, which was a notably competitive affair. She was outbattled by the likeable Al Qareem at Chester, but that form took a big boost when the winner followed up in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes here next time.

Bluestocking is suited by trip and ground and is a solid and consistent performer who should find cheekpieces aiding her concentration having idled in front at the Curragh and at Chester.

15:05 – Checkandchallenge (each way)

There are likelier winners of this contest, but at huge odds, Checkandchallenge is taken to improve on last year’s excellent fourth behind Bayside Boy, when staying on from a poor position to be beaten just 2½ lengths at the line.

Checkandchallenge was below form in the Prix Dollar last time, but that came on quick turf, and he moved up after a tardy start to hold second place until fading inside the last furlong of that 1¼m event. A slow break from the stalls is rarely ideal, but Ascot is more forgiving of such lapses, and the return to a mile on soft ground gives Checkandchallenge the chance to spring an upset.

Checkandchallenge certainly lacks the tactical speed to beat the best on a conventional track, but a war of attrition here will suit him, and he can hit the frame at a big price if things pan out as expected.

15:45 – King of Steel

King of Steel was well held when tried on heavy ground in the Futurity Stakes last autumn, but he was hugely impressive when scoring on a similar surface on his debut at Nottingham, and that second start merely came too soon for a backward colt.

He was impressive when winning the King Edward VII Stakes here in June, but seemed to find the trip just too far when third in the King George on his next start. He ran well dropped to this trip in the Irish Champion Stakes, just giving the front pair too much rope on the day, and he’s expected to find this track and trip ideal with Frankie Dettori taking over from Kevin Stott.

16:25 – Awaal

Placed in the Lincoln, Royal Hunt Cup and Bunbury Cup already this season, Awaal won’t be winning out of turn, and the four-year-old son of Lope de Vega has the benefit of being fully proven on the ground, over track and trip and in this class, which gives him an edge in a tough contest.

It’s worth noting that the last five winners of the Balmoral all carried either 9-5 or 9-6 and Awaal is the only horse in the field in that narrow weight band this time around.

Rory Delargy’s Saturday Racing Tips

13:15 – Trueshan
13:50 – Rohaan (each way)
14:25 – Bluestocking
15:05 – Checkandchallenge (each way)
15:45 – King of Steel
16:25 – Awaal

*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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