2:25 Ascot Tips

A battle between two previous winners, with Hamish claiming the prize in 2022 and Al Qareem winning the last two years. There are a few unexposed 3-year-olds in the mix, but I think class and experience will come to the fore, with Al Qareem the likeliest winner. He's not been able to compete at the top table the last two times, but even under a penalty, this is a drop back in class and he can rack up the hat trick.

Four runs this year for the 3-year-old colt. Something was amiss last time out, but he’s had a 2-month break and still has time to get his career back on track. Two runs back, he was only beaten 3L in the Irish Derby. There is rain at the track on Friday, and I like the fact that he was a wide-margin novice stakes winner on soft ground last autumn. He looks underestimated in this Group 3 contest.

This looks overpriced to me. Yes, he has 17 lb to find on ratings with Hamish, but he is improving with every run. His last three runs have all been over CD, and he goes on any ground. He certainly won't be last as the betting suggests.