15:35
Ascot
Odds correct as of 11:02am 24th Jul
We’ve got another exciting Saturday of racing action to look forward to and best of it is hosted by Ascot and York, with seven races being shown live on ITV. With that in mind, we’ve picked out some interesting outsiders to follow, including a 100/1 shot. Course form is often very helpful, so here are some Saturday runners with proven track records and we’ve previewed the King George And Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
French raider Calandagan is the one they all have to beat and the five-year-old got the better of Kalpana when winning this race last year. That form is expected to stand up and it’ll take a huge performance from one of his rivals in order to stop him.
Japanese runner Masquerade Ball was narrowly denied by Calandagan in the Japan Cup back in November and he clearly has the ability to run a big race. Irish Derby hero Benvenuto Cellini represents the all-powerful Aidan O’Brien yard and the three-year-old’s trainer rates him highly.
Minnie Hauk will definitely appreciate the return to 1m4f for the first time this season and we could see a much improved performance with that in mind. Goliath won this race two years ago and jockey Christophe Soumillon is the man for the big occasion. Lambourn is the forgotten horse of the race.
Glorious Game (12/1, Betfred) is unbeaten in two starts thus far and she dead-heated for first in a Listed contest at Newmarket last time out. Further progress can’t be ruled out and she’s entitled to be in the mix if producing a similar effort here.
Havana Rum (25/1, bet365) was an impressive winner over 6f last summer so the trip shouldn’t be an issue. Richard & Peter Fahey’s gelding wasn’t beaten too far when third over course and distance last time out and should go well, having been dropped another 1lb since.
Lambourn (100/1, bet365) did the English and Irish Derby double last term and it’s easy to forgive his last couple of runs, especially as he was used as a pacemaker in the Hardwicke Stakes. Stablemate Action will be fulfilling those duties here instead and the son of Australia has the ability to outrun his price.
Pride Of Arras has won both of his previous starts at York and that includes last year’s Dante Stakes over course and distance. Needing the run on seasonal debut, improvement seems likely here.
Calandagan has won three of his four starts here at Ascot; including this race last year, the Champion Stakes and the Edward VII Stakes. He looks well set to make it 4/5 in the big race of the day.