Our resident tipster Man On The Spot previews the races that comprise Saturday's £100,000 Pick 7 game.
2.25 Haydock - 32Red Sprint Cup Stakes
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It was good to firm ground when HARRY ANGEL won the July Cup at Newmarket, beating a number of these including Brando who went on to land the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville when Magical Memory was fourth. But easier conditions are no problem for Clive Cox’ star sprinter, who was reversing earlier Ascot form at HQ with the previously unbeaten Caravaggio, who was then sixth at Deauville. Blue Point is easily held on Ascot form while The Tin Man and Tasleet, first and second in the Diamond Jubilee in June, were both behind at Newmarket. The remainder have a lot to find on these terms.
2.45 Ascot - Cunard Handicap
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A typically-competitive renewal of this valuable handicap which features the placed horses from last year. Firmament was second 12 months ago, just ahead of Von Blucher and Squats, but the latter may be the pick of the weights this time. Birchwood ran a fine race when third in the Betfred Mile at Goodwood and finished ahead of recent Chelmsford scorer Masham Star. El Hayem won at Sandown in July but was behind Firmament at York subsequently. Lualiwa reverts to his best trip after finishing third over 6f at York but there’s a danger that recent course winner Raising Sand will get taken off his feet over the straight 7f as he’s shown his best form over a mile. MJJACK has been raised 5lb since finishing second to Stamp Hill here in July but that was his first run in a race of this nature and he looks capable of better - the forecast rain would certainly be a plus. Breakable is pretty consistent and would have place claims again.
3.00 Haydock - 32Red Be Friendly Handicap
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Soie D'leau beat Confessional in this last year and is 3lb lower but he’s proved hard to place this year. As well as the latter, Tim Easterby runs Copper Knight and MIDNIGHT MALIBU and Ben Curtis’ mount has been back to her best lately. She also has a very solid record over course and distance and, raised only 3lb for scoring at Epsom, shouldn’t be far away again. Holmeswood has improved at a rate of knots since dropped back to 5f but had to settle for a share of the spoils last time at York and is 5lb higher. Green Door has never won off a mark this high but is still preferred to stablemate Orvar.
3.20 Ascot - Ritz Club EBF 'Breeders Series' Fillies' Handicap
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Another tricky puzzle to solve with a quartet arriving off the back of recent wins. Crowning Glory won nicely at Pontefract under Georgia Cox but has done all of her racing on faster surfaces. Killay is progressive and unexposed but stepping up markedly in class. Stellar Surprise will also need to improve again to score in this grade and Seduce Me couldn’t cope with a further weight rise at Newmarket. Peach Melba didn’t appear to stay a mile at Hamilton in June so the vote goes to DUBARA, who has slowly worked her way back to form this year and had Black Bess behind when pouncing late at Goodwood last month. Amabilis and Soul Silver have something to prove now after disappointing last time.
3.35 Haydock - 32Red Mile
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Benbatl has been running against top-class opposition over further in the main this year but was third in the Craven Stakes over this trip at Newmarket in the spring. Sovereign Debt is a credit to connections but has to concede weight all round and carrying a penalty has proved beyond him in his last two starts - he was also behind Kaspersky at Ascot in July. Ballet Concerto has a 3lb penalty for winning in this grade at Salisbury so will need more with the ground having turned in favour of MORANDO. Roger Varian’s grey made a winning reappearance at Windsor but seemed not to enjoy a sharper track at Leopardstown last month when a well-backed favourite. Flaming Spear and You're Fired may be best of the rest but are only handicapper.
3.55 Ascot - Appletiser Stakes
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Anythingtoday has improved since being gelded but is up another 4lb after placed efforts at Newmarket and Goodwood. He has each-way claims again if staying the longer trip, however, while To Dibba will enjoy the going, though is 7lb higher when beaten a head by the fast-improving Whatsthemessage at Hamilton. First Nation was second in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and then fourth in another hot handicap at Goodwood behind Londinium. The soft going on the latter occasion may not have suited the Godolphin colt and he is 10lb better off with the winner. But Londinium’s trainer Mark Johnston also runs Bear Valley and CAPE COAST and the latter is of particular interest. Outpaced at a crucial time when second last week at Chester, he could gain compensation here if there is a strong pace. Melting Dew has the form to figure and is tried in cheekpieces but Mam'selle and Torcello both step up in class.
4.35 Leopardstown - Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Petingo' Handicap
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This has a distinct National Hunt flavour with Willie Mullins, who won the race in 2103 with Pique Sous, having the top two in the weights and Ruby Walsh on board Renneti. His mount has won over this trip on very testing ground so would probably need more rain but Laws Of Spin has won over 1m2f and 2m on good ground so this should prove ideal. Snow Falcon is much better known as a staying hurdler but produced a tremendous effort to make all over 1m6f at Killarney and even a 9lb rise shouldn't pose too many problems. He holds Sea The Lion on that run but Tony Martin, who won this with Quick Jack a year ago and has three entries, can take this with ARTFUL ARTIST, who is looking particularly well handicapped. He's been running well over hurdles and was conceding Laws Of Spin 4lb when beaten 4l at the Curragh in October and now receives 19lb with his rider's claim taken into account. St Stephens Green is in top form and will like the going while Daybreak Boy is an intriguing entry for Henry De Bromhead as he's making his handicap debut and has Pat Smullen on board.