2.25pm Ascot Tips & Betting Preview 29/07/2017

A field of twelve go to post for the second race of the day at Ascot on Saturday afternoon, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Pealer is likely to make this a proper test from the front as he tries to make it three wins from four starts, but this can go to CENTURY DREAM. He has won his last two starts for Simon Crisford in good style, never looking in danger when pushed out under hands and heels to win at Ayr twelve days ago. He is only up five pounds and Ryan Moore takes the ride, so he should take all the beating with these softer conditions perfect for him.

1 D’BAI – Won a Listed race at Pontefract back in October and he has been competing at that level since, last seen at Newmarket in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes where he was a well beaten third. This is obviously an ease in grade but a mark of 105 does demand more in a field full of progressive sorts and well handicapped rivals. Possible each way claims under William Buick but may just struggle off top weight.

2 MASHAM STAR – Runner up three times this year for Mark Johnston, twice off this mark and more is needed in a competitive race. He could only manage fifth at Newmarket on his latest start, beaten a reasonable way and he has it to prove off a mark of 100. Softer ground is no problem and the yard are in great form, but others make more appeal for win purposes.

3 CENTURY DREAM – Headgear has worked wonders the last twice as he has won both races comfortably, shrugging off a six pound rise for his penultimate victory to win at Ayr when last seen in good style. He was clearly value for more and a five pound rise looks very lenient with the softer ground no problem for him. Ryan Moore takes over the ride which looks to be a sign of intent and with Simon Crisford’s yard in such good form, he looks a very tough nut track.

4 NAVAL WARFARE – Career best effort to win a Leicester handicap in May comfortably after making all, with his latest effort at Sandown best ignored. The form of that win has worked out well with the second, third and fourth winning since. He is now eleven pounds higher though and he’ll need more pitched into tougher company, though softer ground will be of no problem. Oisin Murphy takes the ride and he looks a strong each way contender.

5 MUSTARRID – Two wins from six starts for Richard Hannon’s three year old who was simply no match for Century Dream when they met on his latest start, brushed aside by two lengths. He is eleven pounds better off today, but a turnaround would be a surprise as that rival continues to be very progressive. Jim Crowley takes the ride for Hamdan Al Maktoum and he’s a possible each way contender with conditions to suit, but he looks vulnerable for win purposes.

6 PEALER – Made it two wins from three starts when making all at Epsom on his latest start, given a soft lead where he punished them to win unchallenged. He has been raised seven pounds as a result and this is much tougher, with a soft lead such as that very unlikely in a more competitive, bigger field contest. Frankie Dettori takes over the ride which is interesting, but there is a further question mark about the ground and others make more appeal.

7 EXECUTIVE FORCE – Simply outclassed the last thrice in handicaps for William Haggas, last seen at Newbury where he could only muster up a well beaten fourth. He drops a further five pounds in the handicap but that does little to persuade and others come with much less of a risk, as he has shown very little.

8 JUANITO CHICO – Progressing well for William Jarvis, winning decisively at Epsom three starts ago despite having a very poor passage through. He was last seen over course and distance where he was a neck second to a handicap debutante who was clearly well treated. He is up four pounds as a result and more is needed as he goes back up in grade. Silvestre De Sousa is a good jockey booking, but he looks set to fight out the minor honours today.

9 ALWAHSH – Finally got off the mark at the fourth attempt when an emphatic winner at Nottingham in June, taking that maiden by seven lengths after being allowed to dictate from the front. That however was a very weak contest and a mark of 87 on handicap debut does demand progress from this son of Dubawi. It is hard to rule him out completely, but Jim Crowley prefers Mustarrid and he should just fall short today.

10 FIRE BRIGADE – Step up to the mile has worked wonders for him as he’s won two of his last four runs, coming off a a strong pace to win at Haydock two starts ago in identical conditions. Things didn’t go his way on his latest start at Yarmouth and he’s worth another chance with conditions to suit, as there are so many front runners in the line up that is should ensure a strong pace. Hayley Turner takes the ride and he looks a very solid each way contender.

11 CULLINGWORTH – Running moderately over the 1m 2f distance the last twice, keeping on strongly to finish sixth at Newmarket when last seen. On that evidence, a drop back to the mile isn’t going to be helpful and a mark of 83 is still two pounds above his last winning mark. Royston Ffrench takes the ride but he looks booked for a struggle.

12 RASHFORD’S DOUBLE – Solidly out of form until returning to somewhere near his best to finish third at Hamilton nine days ago, still beaten a fair way. That was a much weaker race than this and more is needed, though a strong pace should suit and Hollie Doyle takes off a useful three pounds. Hard to dismiss entirely and could out run his odds.