14.30 - The best place to start is Withering, first time tongue tie on heavy ground is not a good look. Masekela was very keen on debut and won't get away with that on this ground. New Science and Reach For The Moon were involved in the same race last time. The time wasn't good but the latter picked up nicely late on and showed an action that would suit soft ground. Bred to be good. Stiff finish will suit. Point Lonsdale is well bred and and full brother to Broome. He was impressive on debut  but the yards runners have been poor this week. Great Max I also thought would run well here after showing an action for soft ground last time. Hit the line strongly over shorter. Step up in trip should suit. No strong opinion here but Reach For The Moon win with an EW saver on Great Max looks the play.

 

15.05 - Ace Aussie, Mehmento, New Mandate, Muntasaabeq, Creative Force, Naval Crown all look vulnerable on the ground.  Tactical was behind Rhythm Master last year on soft ground and I can't see that form reversed. RHYTHM MASTER has to be a huge player on ground he loves here. If he stays the trip he surely goes close from a good draw. Impressive on debut on soft ground before finishing second in a group 1 on soft to Campanelle next time. Satisfactory return to action on ground probably too quick. Yard have won this twice in the last 5 years. The other soft ground lover I like here is LIGHT REFRAIN. Was a winning selection for us at Nottingham on her return to action. She was very impressive that day. Ran a good race next time at Haydock behind Dragon Symbol, that form looks very strong now. She was the first off the bridle that day suggesting she wanted further. Didn't have the clearest of runs. She's improving so it's possible she does now want 7f. This track over 7f should suit her, she's bred for this trip. Draw not the greatest but yard having a good week.

 

15.40 - Wonderful Tonight should enjoy the conditions but she did need the run first time last season. Broome is 0-4 away from Ireland. I'm torn between Ilaarab and Albaflora for this race. Ilaarab may just come up short at his first try at this level so I'm going to side with ALBAFLORA. Course and distance winner on soft ground. Didn't handle Epsom next time. Has a close 2nd to her name at this track last season so she clearly loves Ascot. I think she's a very good horse that already has the form that isn't far off winning this. Draw not amazing but she should get a good pace in here.

 

16.20 - ART POWER was behind a very good horse last time, that form has been franked by Oxted this week. Loves soft ground and goes very well here. The draw looks good. It's a competitive race and a few of these will love the conditions but they've always thought plenty of Art Power and he can show them all a clean pair of heels here. VENTURA REBEL also loves conditions and loves Ascot. Has a good draw and was infront of Art Power last time. Cheekpieces appear to have helped since they reached for them and they stay on today. This could be his year, still only a 4yo but has plenty of experience now. Yard and jockey have enjoyed a good week.

 

17.00 - I want to back Kings Lynn again but the ground looks to have gone against him now. I'm going to side with ROHAAN who looks a group horse in a handicap. Handled heavy ground last time so this should be fine today. Stiff 6f suits aswell. It's not easy for 3yo sprinters against older horses but I'm making an exception here because I firmly believe he's a group horse. Beat Dragon Symbol last time so that form has worked out well. Good draw, big run expected from this improving horse. I think a small EW should also be played on ROPEY GUEST who always runs so well but struggles to get his head infront. Interestingly drops back to 6f today which could suit his running style, especially on soft ground which he enjoys. He's been placed in numerous group races and probably should still be running in a group race. 4yo's have a good record in this race. So I've chosen 2 horses I believe are group standard against experienced handicappers and I believe that handicapping is their level unlike my selections.

 

17.35 - I'm not convinced King Frankel wants ground this deep. I was very impressed by FOXES TALE at Newbury and he showed a high knee action that day which should mean he'll relish today's conditions. He finished very strongly that day suggesting further was needed. The dams side would suggest he'll get this trip. He didn't handle Chester last time so a return to a more galloping track will suit. He was behind El Drama at Chester who I still believe is a good horse and Maximal was 2nd that day who gave the form a boost earlier in the week. He has a good draw here and a mark of 93 looks on the lenient side. Yard and jockey have had a good week and I think it'll get better here.

 

18.10 - Soft ground, Ascot, Venetia Williams, staying race are all words you usually here over the winter but all that is applicable today and I think she has a good chance with GREEN BOOK. Has everything to suit here. Won the Chester plate very easily and that form has been franked since. Only 9lbs higher than that win and that doesn't look anywhere near enough. That can't have  been his true running next time out at Haydock but that was won by a good horse so he wasn't disgraced. I think he's very overpriced here. WHO DARES WINS also looks overpriced considering he also has everything to suit. Won this last year and is 5lbs lower in the handicap this time. Ultra consistent and I'd be surprised to see him not involved here.

 

14.30 - Reach For The Moon 15/2 EW Bet365

15.05 - Light Refrain 14/1 EW, Rhythm Master 22/1 EW both 5places Betfair

15.40 - Albaflora 11/2 EW 4places Skybet

16.20 - Art Power 5/1 Bet365, Ventura Rebel 22/1 EW 4places William Hill

17.00 - Rohaan 6/1 EW, Ropey Guest 14/1 EW both 7places Skybet

17.35 - Foxes Tales 10/1 EW 5places William Hill

18.10 - Green Book 33/1 EW 5places Skybet, Who Dares Wins 18/1 EW 5places Betfair