4:50 Ascot Tips

I can't oppose the William Knight 5yo here, who seems a 6lb-7lb better horse at this venue than anywhere else. He was arguably a bit unlucky in the Wokingham 3 weeks ago & the drop to 5f shouldn't be a problem, having won readily at the Shergar Cup meeting over the minimum trip just under 2 years ago.

Just seven career runs for the 3-year-old. Three runs this year, improvement with each start. He ran a big race at Royal Ascot, a close 3rd of 24 and easily the best of those who raced on the middle/far side. A slightly higher mark now, but he’s in great shape.

I like to see course form here, and Blue Day was very impressive when winning over C&D on his only previous run here. He's 7lb higher now but went down by half a length off a 1lb lower mark just 2 starts ago. A return to this C&D should see him go close again. The same jockey is rebooked, and the horse even has a similar draw, so it will hopefully be more of the same.

First time cheekpieces are applied for Woodhay Wonder. Very talented 4yo filly by Tamayuz. Ran well on two occasions over course and distance last summer against good sorts in high-grade handicaps. Has struggled to see out six furlongs in three starts this season, so drop in trip could help now. Is finding a high handicap mark difficult but dropped 2 lbs now. Trainer Tom Ward (SR 60%) flying with three recent winners. Likely going to find this easier than the Wokingham last time. Drawn fairly nicely in stall 13, makes a play at 12-1.

The Camacho yard has been doing really well this season and this horse has got obvious upside, with the yard seemingly not grappling with this horse so far. Any uptick would give a firm chance of a place.

This is a viciously tough sprint handicap where a case can be made for many of the participants. I think a high draw will be an advantage, so Alzahir from 18 has a decent each-way chance. He's in the form of his life, from a yard that is flying currently. If he's as effective at the minimum trip, he must go close.

Not been getting beat that far of late and has dropped back down to a decent mark of 87 here. Is a C/D winner, top class jockey up and very shrewd trainer excels in the sprinting sphere, making current 16/1 decent Ew value in the race.

EW 5 places. Winner at Epsom in the 3YO Dash. 3 x sub-11s furlongs. Run-out speed 35.81 mph (ranked 2nd). Only 10th at Royal Ascot, but ranked 6th final furlong and 5th run-out speed. Raced in far side group, winner and 2nd came near side. LxF Rank 1st, 40.23, +0.06 SF above race expected average. Dropped 1 lb to 94.

So much racing on Saturday and really difficult races too. So, sole bet of the day is the selection at 11/1 with 5 places. Good draw in my view and posted a seasonal best at Newcastle last time. Trainer probably getting to know the gelding now and there has been some money during this evening.

I'm convinced this horse is always unlucky! Missing breaks and running into trouble. Hoping today is its big day in the sun. Track and distance suit.

Been running well since returning from a 7 month break and was a close up 3rd at Windsor on his latest start over an extended 6f. The drop back to 5f here shouldn’t be a problem and looks a serious player.

He is a nine-time winner, including three wins in his last five starts under jockey Gina Mangan. He is up in grade, hence this huge price, but the selection is a consistent type, and he has a very good draw in stall 16 today. So he deserves a crack at this C2 Heritage Handicap race as he has finished third in each of his last two outings at this venue over the trip.

A Class 2 Goodwood win was had over today's trip in May. Only a pound higher than the last win, and the amateur removes a big 7 lbs.

Interesting that this shrewd yard pitches him in at this high handicap level, given his previous form is in lower grades. However, he gets in here on bottom weight with the stable number one jockey on board, and connections had a 16/1 winner today.