2:05 Ascot Tips

I'm sure the Skeltons feel L'Eau Du Sud is better than a handicapper, and the fact they've dropped in grade to grab some prize money is a tip in itself. Ran well in novice graded races last season, and a mark of 155 doesn't look to be his ceiling, especially with a 3 lbs claimer in the saddle. Will enjoy the quick ground, goes well fresh - he can dominate this field.

Sits just 1 lb above the mark he defied to win over CD last season. Making his seasonal reappearance here. Lack of run should be no issue given the stable, added to the fact he won over CD on reappearance last season. He won this race off a 7 lbs lower mark, beating Isaar d'Airy just under 2L. He then came out and won again over CD next time out, off just a 1 lb lower mark than this. He absolutely sluiced up, beating Kotmask 11L, with subsequent Red Rum winner Sans Bruit further in behind the runner-up. That looks solid form. Admittedly, he struggled after that. He was forced to contest stronger races due to his mark being obliterated by the handicapper. Now the handicapper has shown some mercy. Coupled with his liking for this track, he should be right there at the business end of proceedings.

A competitive affair, and it would hurt to see Issar D’Airy take this, who I backed in this last year. At just 1lb higher, he’s clearly got a chance, but Special Cadeau looked to me like he would improve for the effort last time, as he has done on each of his second seasonal starts. If he can, he can make the most of this weight carry, with a bonus 3lbs from Mike O’Connor. The trip at a stiff track may stretch him, but I’d hope the weight carry can counteract that, and he’s been campaigned in some top company so could be much better than an adjusted 139. His last effort has been boosted by a subsequent grade 2 scorer, but he seemingly wouldn’t want too much rain to get into watered ground.

Harry Derham has his horses running well at the moment as demonstrated by his 38% strike rate in the last two weeks, and his Teddy Blue looks a great each way bet here. The seven-year-old was an easy three and a half length winner at Kempton in March and looks well capable of going in again here. 

Sans Bruit has not had the benefit of a recent run. However his stable have a decent record here and he won his last two races prior to a break of 194 days. Could do well if fit.

Runner-up in this race last season off just one pound lower in the handicap. Three further runner-up spots from five more outings last season and can get involved again today with no concerns about racing first time out this term.