1:30 Ascot Tips

Winner of the Arkle when he came from nowhere to win, and then ran a good race at Aintree. I think this horse will be too good for his rivals if he's in the same form.

Il Est Francais returns to the UK and the conditions of this Grade 2 Chase means that he is bottom weight getting weight from the rest of the field. If he jumps like he did in the King George VI Chase at Kempton last December he will be difficult to peg back and the shorter distance of two miles five furlongs is to his advantage.

The last four times Pic D'Orhy has raced at Ascot, he has won. He has won this race for the last two years with winning margins of sixteen lengths and three and a half lengths. He obviously likes this track and trip, so I'm going for the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D'Orhy to win this race for a third time.

The 8yo was a Grade 2 winner back in Feb and he can be a player in this Grade 2 contest. He ran a big race four weeks ago after coming off a six month break and fitness could play a big part as three of his four rivals haven’t raced since the spring, and bigger targets down the line will be their aim. The selection was only beaten 2L last time out, a quality Grade 2 handicap while racing off a high mark.