3.55pm Ascot Tips & Betting Preview 09/09/2017

A field of sixteen go to post for this red-hot, Class 2 Handicap at Ascot on Saturday. See our betting tips and full race preview and then watch all the action on ITV!

IN SUMMARY: Cape Coast was only denied by a horse who had the run of the race at Chester on his latest start and off two pounds higher he should be on the premises despite a busy campaign. It’s hard however to get away from the chances of RAKE’S PROGRESS, who is still slightly raced and is going the right way. He won on his penultimate start at Newbury in great style from the front, relishing the softer ground and he was far from disgraced when fourth over course and distance when last seen. He was too keen that day and if settling better back under David Egan, he should take all the beating from the front.

1 ANYTHINGTODAY – Consistent sort for Hugo Palmer who won at Bath three starts ago on softer ground, with two good efforts since. He was only beaten a length on his latest start at Goodwood and he’s only two pounds higher here, with clear each way claims back on softer ground under Josie Gordon if staying this longer trip.

2 SPEEDO BOY – Ran very well on his last two starts in tough handicaps for Ian Williams, finishing seventh on his latest start at York when only a length behind Londinium who had a better time of things. This race should be run at a stronger pace than his last which will suit him and he won on ‘very soft’ in France, so any ground will be fine. There’s no doubt he’s high in the weights now, but a big run looks on the cards.

3 FIRST NATION – Finished second in the King George Stakes at Royal Ascot two starts ago (just ahead of Bear Valley) and he ran respectably on his latest start when fourth at Glorious Goodwood behind Londinium. He remains on the same mark and couldn’t be discounted if running to the same level again, though improvement is likely needed if he’s to win this under Jamie Spencer.

4 LONDINIUM – Hasn’t run a bad race all season for Mark Johnston, rewarded for his consistency when winning a Glorious Goodwood handicap in great style three starts ago. He nearly made it two wins that week when second in another handicap and he ran respectably off his new mark when fifth at York two weeks ago. He looks in the handicappers grip now though and looks vulnerable to better weighted rivals, so he can only be given each way claims.

5 SEAFARER – Upped to 1m 4f on his latest start and it clearly had the desired effect as he won that race in clear cut fashion, awarded with a nine pound rise as a result. The form of that race is working out though and Tyler Saunders offsets most of the penalty with his seven pound claim, which makes him very interesting. Very much unexposed and looks the dark horse with conditions fine.

6 SEA FOX – Mainly out of form this season for David Evans before running his best race of the year to finish seventh at Beverley when upped to 1m 2f, still well held. There are no guarantees he’ll stay now upped to 1m 4f on this sort of ground, with his overall form this season unappealing. It’s not hard to look elsewhere with how poor the Evans yard are performing at present.

7 CAPE COAST – In good form this season and improving at a good rate, winning two races earlier this season before two seconds the last twice. He only found a runner who was given the run of the race too strong at Chester on his latest start in a Listed Handicap and he has definite claims off only two pounds higher. Softer ground is an unknown though and this is a quick turn around from his latest run (seven days), so that should be noted.

8 TO DIBBA – Progressive colt for Roger Varian who produced a clear career best on his latest start to finish second to an in form rival at Hamilton on his latest start, with that rival completing a four-timer subsequently. He now goes up markedly in distance (four furlongs) and as a son of Dubawi he should stay with lots of middle distance stamina in his pedigree. He’s very much unexposed and highly interesting, so has to be considered.

9 MISTER BELVEDERE – One win from nine starts for this three year old who’s beginning to look exposed, running to a similar level on all his runs this season. He was only second on his latest start in Class 4 company at Doncaster last month, with this being a much tougher test. He was given the run of the race that day and he won’t get that here, so others are readily preferred.

10 MAM’SELLE – Made it three wins from four starts when powering through the softer ground to win at Newbury three weeks ago, asserting well when asked to go. This is a much tougher race and he’s seven pounds higher, but he’s going the right way and this in form yard continues to roll at present. Has to be given each way claims under Tom Marquand.

11 MELTING DEW – Running well enough of late, finishing second three starts ago at Newbury before finishing five lengths off Cape Coast at on his penultimate start. He was denied by a nose on his latest start at Pontefract, with the winner allowed to make all at his leisure and there is a strong suspicion this three year old is capable of better. Softer ground is fine and he’s a strong each way candidate.

12 BEAR VALLEY – Finished a good third in a Shegar Cup race over course and distance three starts ago, but he’s not been anywhere near as good since. He weakened tamely when asked for an effort at Beverley and although a return to further should suit, his inconsistent profile is far too off putting against in form rivals who look progressive.

13 TORCELLO – Arrives on a hat-trick for Andrew Balding, winning a Class 4 handicap on his latest start in comfortable fashion, though that wasn’t the strongest of races by any stretch. He’s now up four pounds into a much tougher race, needing to prove his stamina for this far. He clearly loves softer ground so that is a plus, but others do seem more likely for win purposes.

14 GLENYS THE MENANCE – Took her third win of the summer for John Best when careering home to win a Shergar Cup race on her penultimate start, a length ahead of Bear Valley. Off a three pound higher mark though she was put firmly in his place at York and although this is marginally easier, she does have something to prove now and she looks firmly in the handicappers grip.

15 DUKE OF BRONTE – Lightly raced three year old who won at Newbury on his penultimate start, pushed out under hands and heels to beat Melting Dew. Up three pounds he struggled at the 1m 6f trip, not staying the distance and he’ll be much happier back down to 1m 4f trip. If back to the form of his Newbury run he’s not out of this by any stretch, with further improvement possible. George Wood takes off three pounds and he’s an interesting candidate.

16 RAKE’S PROGRESS – Won his penultimate start at Newbury in great style on softer ground over the 1m 2f trip, making all in decisive fashion under today’s rider David Egan. He was far from disgraced over course and distance on his latest start when fourth, too keen early on. He should be able to bounce out here and make the running, which will enable him to settle better and once he’s out in front, he’s going to be very hard to catch as he remains with potential after only nine runs for a red-hot yard.