It’s Silver Dominion versus Alfred Wallace as King George weekend gets under way at Ascot – live on Sky Sports Racing.
2.55 Ascot – Classy pair Silver Dominion and Alfred Wallace reoppose in feature
The Listed Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes looks a belter with Silver Dominion and Alfred Wallace reopposing at Ascot.
Silver Dominion finished just ahead of Alfred Wallace when they were fourth and fifth in the Group Two July Stakes at Newmarket just 13 days ago and should have obvious claims in these calmer waters. Hector Crouch returns for the ride aboard the Oliver Cole-trained colt, with the Whatcombe-based trainer reporting his charge to be in fine form. Connections feel this is a good opportunity for their progressive prodigy.
Alfred Wallace has plenty of experience and could prove hard to peg back if given a soft lead under champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who knows favourite Silver Dominion well – having ridden him the last day. Trainer Ed Walker has a 24 per cent strike-rate when teaming up with Murphy throughout their careers – a stat which could see the Kingsdown Stables representative attract market support.
Gymbaazy made a winning start to his career when outpointing the odds-on favourite at Sandown last month and, given his inexperience in the finish, he should improve with racing. Trainer Owen Burrows is operating at a 38 per cent strike-rate, having tasted success with three of his last eight runners.
Others to consider include Treasurer and the hat-trick-seeking Kach Above.
4.05 Ascot – Al Azd and French Duke headline strong contest
A terrific edition of the Sodexo Live! Handicap where French Duke and Al Azd will be popular in the market.
Roger Varian’s Al Azd has improved with each start since tackling handicap company and found only Enceladus too good when an excellent second at the Royal meeting. This trip and track seem to suit, and he must be feared despite an 8lb rise in the ratings.
Top-weight French Duke showed he retains plenty of ability when winning at Meydan in January but will need to step up on his recent form. The Wathnan Racing five-year-old is off level weights with Al Azd but has struggled on his three outings over course and distance – although all were in ultra-competitive Royal Ascot fields.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Study Of Words rates the best of the rest as he hopes to bounce back from a short-price reversal at Doncaster.
2.20 Ascot – Exciting duo Ash Tree and Blue Flight lock horns
The opening Sports4Causes October Club EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes sees a range of potentially-useful fillies clash over six furlongs.
Blue Flight, who was entered in the Princess Margaret on Saturday, showed a smart change of gear when landing a Yarmouth maiden on her first start and looks a promising type. Danny Muscutt retains the ride on the Blue Point filly, who flies the flag for the Cheveley Park operation.
Ash Tree was given a positive mention by her trainer in a recent interview and made a pleasing debut when scoring at Nottingham. Showing signs of greenness that day, she ought to improve for the run and be in the mix for Jane Chapple-Hyam.
Sorrengail, related to Space Blues, finished an eye-catching fourth with Speed Of Sound in third on debut at Newmarket and both have solid claims in a deep contest.
Others
Also at Ascot, the Class Three John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap (3.30pm) sees Fireblade and Synergism face off, with the latter not outside the first three in his last three starts for Sir Mark Prescott. Kircher is also worthy of a mention after chasing home Align The Stars in the Northumberland Plate, though he has been raised 2lb for that effort.
The card in Berkshire closes with the Sodexo Live! Fillies’ Handicap (5.12pm), headlined by Desert Treasure and Paradise Walk.
Elsewhere, Colegram makes her handicap debut for the Dan Skelton team in Uttoxeter’s Eaton Hall Shooting Ground Handicap Hurdle (3.50pm) but will have to contend with the challenge posed by Rock Hurley. Later on the card, the Louise Hall Hen Party Handicap Hurdle (4.25pm) is the stage for Divilabother‘s hat-trick bid.
Chepstow plays host to a seven-race Flat card, with Kodi Fire topping seven runners in the feature LSL Racing Horse Sales Handicap (7.01pm).
