Ascot

1.50 Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes (Group 3) 6f

Lezoo was unlucky to be denied victory in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting, and she is a solid favourite now dropping slightly in class, and I’d not put anyone off at 7/4 or bigger.

There are several potential improvers in the field, and that makes it hard to be adamant that the favourite is definitely the classiest in the field, for all she holds the clear edge on ratings.

With nine runners and a short-priced favourite, there is an attractive option of betting each-way, and the fact that the firms want to be conservative with the once-raced fillies in here means that the price on the seemingly exposed Cuban Mistress is very generous.

Tough filly

Cuban Mistress is a tough and consistent filly whose latest second in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown makes her the second best of these on paper.

The form of that race was franked when third-placed Eddie’s Boy won the Super Sprint at Newbury in impressive style.

Although she hasn’t tried six furlongs yet, she was doing all her best work when hitting the final climb at Sandown, and looks ready for a step-up in trip.

Given her experience, and the fact she’s rated 11lb below the favourite, it’s hard to see her winning, but 25/1 underestimates her, particularly against the others, and she appeals as an each-way bet, especially if a market is offered without the favourite.

2.25 Longines Valiant Stakes (Group 3) 7f 213yds

Another Group 3 for fillies, and another short-priced favourite in the shape of Sandringham Stakes runner-up Zanbaq, who ought to win if reproducing that form.

That’s not a given however, with this race coming on the round course, and her inside draw not entirely a blessing in what could be a tactical race.

Sandringham winner Heredia finished behind Oscula in the Coral Distaff at Sandown when an odds-on favourite, and it may be that Zanbaq will meet a similar fate against a thoroughly tough and genuine filly who should get first run.

Oscula is short of the top echelon of fillies at this trip, but she has run really well on all four of her starts in listed company this year, and should be well-placed to strike should the favourite meet any trouble here.

Strong gallop

Novemba will ensure a strong gallop, but last year’s German 1000 Guineas winner and Coronation Stakes fourth hasn’t looked at the same level this season, and she finds herself burdened by the demands of the WFA penalty.

Jumbly was only beaten two lengths in the French Guineas, but that form has proven weak for a Group 1, and she disappointed when made favourite for the German equivalent last time. She hasn’t progressed as expected, and is also worth opposing at short odds.

Oscula needs others to underperform if she’s to win this, but with Zanbaq very short, and Novemba and Jumbly having a bit to prove, her consistency should see her in the frame at least.

3.00 Moet & Chandon International Stakes 7f

I napped Chiefofchiefs in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot on the basis of his hugely unlucky run in the Victoria Cup, and he again was the eyecatcher, finishing fourth in a big field, but drawn right away from the action, and having to cross the entire width of the track to make a challenge.

He gave away much more than the length and a quarter he was beaten on the day, and is clearly ahead of his mark at present.

With Colin Keane taking the ride after a couple of sub-optimal rides on his last two starts, he is taken to bounce back to winning ways at rewarding odds, especially as his draw looks much kinder this time.

In terms of the draw, all the speed seems to be middle to high, and while the likes of Bless Him and Ropey Guest are interesting on paper, both would prefer a strong pace to chase, and there is no front runner drawn in single figures.

Best of the speed comes from King Zain in stall 21, and that makes outsider Top Secret of some interest at huge odds from stall 22. Top Secret has disappointed the last twice, but has run twice over course and distance on quick ground and won both times.

He looks overpriced at 50/1 with the strong possibility that he will bounce back under a change of rider, and from what would appear to be the best of the draw.

3.35 King George Vi And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1) 1m 3f 211yds

Westover boosted the Derby form, and looked a proper racehorse when storming away with the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, and he makes most appeal in an intriguing King George, largely because there are question marks over all of his market rivals.

Mishriff has looked as if this stiff one and a half miles is just beyond his stamina limitations before, Torquator Tasso is best with some ease in the ground and is vulnerable on the forecast going.

Emily Upjohn might have been unlucky in the Oaks, but Tuesday didn’t exactly boost the form behind Westover in the Irish Derby, and while Nashwa did her bit for the form by winning the Prix de Diane, the key factor there was the drop in trip, as she clearly failed to last home at Epsom.

I could see Pyledriver outrunning lengthy odds, but it would be a surprise if Ryan Moore was given the same freedom on Broome as he was in the Hardwicke, especially drawn in stall 1, and while the odds don’t excite me, I find it very hard to oppose Ralph Beckett’s market leader with track and trip likely to suit him perfectly.

York

2.05 Sky Bet “Jump Jockeys’ Nunthorpe” Handicap 5f

Marnie James gets the verdict in this novelty contest. The seven-year-old has slipped markedly in the weights, but refound some form on the all-weather last winter for his current yard, and now slips back into Class 4 company having done most of his turf racing in recent times at a couple of grades higher.

His record over five furlongs on turf in Class 4 handicaps reads 2311 with his wins coming off marks of 82 and 86. He’s now slipped to 80, and while well held at Doncaster last month, that was his first start since early February and was clearly needed.

He’ll be much fitter for that pipe-opener, and has an excellent rider in the shape of Tom Cannon.

2.40 Sky Bet Dash Handicap 6f

Gale Force Maya stands out here, and Michael Dods’s evergreen mare should have this race set up for her by the front-running Aberama Gold in the middle stall. That gelding has been back to form in a visor on his last two starts, going down narrowly in a pair of six-furlong handicaps at Ayr.

He travelled with much more enthusiasm in those races, and looked to have stolen a decisive advantage only to be caught on the line on the first of them.

Ridden with a tad more restraint on Monday, he only went on at halfway, and arguably didn’t go fast enough, rallying when passed by Snash inside the last, and likely to run well again if given his head.

Vulnerable

Aberama Gold will be vulnerable in the finish again, however, and Gale Force Maya should be able to track him throughout from her draw in stall 6, before launching a decisive challenge inside the last.

That’s the theory, and I’ll back it up by adding an exacta to my win only play on the mare.

Recommended:

Cuban Mistress 1:50 Ascot – 0.5pts e/w @ 25/1 (general)

Oscula 2:25 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 6/1 (Hills, 11/2 SkyBet – 4 places)

Chiefofchiefs 3:00 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 10/1 (Hills, 9/1 SkyBet – 7 places)

Top Secret 3:00 Ascot – 0.5pts e/w @ 40/1 (Hills – 7 places)

Marnie James 2:05 York – 1pt win @ 16/1 (Hills, BetVictor)

Gale Force Maya 2:40 York – 1pt win 7/1 (Hills, BetVictor, Coral)

Gale Force Maya/Aberma Gold 2:40 York – 1pt exacta