1:15 Ascot Tips

With only seven career starts, MOUNT GAY RUN is a lightly raced seven-year-old who enters handicap company for the first time today. Winless to date, he made an encouraging start on debut for this yard when second in a maiden hurdle at Southwell (2m, soft) to a horse that later confirmed the form by winning next time out. The significant drop back in trip that day didn’t look ideal, but he kept on well to the line. Having raced over 2m7f on his final start for his previous yard, this looks much better suited. Today’s mark of 113 looks potentially lenient, and he looks a real threat on handicap debut.

The Nicky Henderson??'trained, James Bowen??'ridden Fresh Kicks was 2nd in a 3m point-to-point in Ireland and looks as though he will stay the 2m 7f 123y under rules. He won LTO in a maiden hurdle at Plumpton by 6l over 2m 4f 19 days ago, so comes here in good form.

Doctor Midas seemingly bumped into one here last time, receiving 12 lbs from Absolutely Doyen, who is now rated 123. He wasn’t beaten far and comes in here off bottom weight, so could be involved if backing up that effort. Soft ground is an unknown, but his sire/dam mix brings some hope, with both having produced a number of soft/heavy performers. He hasn’t won yet, but hopefully being on bottom ground over a tough 3m here can see him running on, beating at the finish.

Just four runs over hurdles for the 6yo. He ran well on his handicap debut five weeks ago, beaten 3L. However, he was coming back from a seven-month break and did make a couple of late jumping errors. Unexposed; more progress likely, and top jockey Harry Cobden now takes over in the saddle.

Appreciated the step up in trip when getting off the mark on handicap debut over an extended 2 miles 5 furlongs at Wetherby at the end of October. Raised 8 lbs for that, but finished a close up 3rd over an extended 3 miles at Southwell last time. Still has a bit of scope and rates each-way value.

Built on bumper debut fourth when winning easily at Worcester on seasonal return. Finished fourth and second since. Ground will suit. Stepping up in trip should bring more improvement. I envisaged around 7/1; at 11/1 looks decent each-way value. With favourite shouldering 12st and Buzz upped ten pounds on the back of his last win.

Seemed to appreciate the extended three-mile trip at Aintree last time when finishing a close 2nd on his handicap debut, losing out late on. Races off a 3 lb higher mark here but is still likely to go close.

A bumper winner that is returning after a rest to resume and get better on the track after four decent hurdle efforts.