Rory Delargy

ASCOT SATURDAY

2:00 TOTEPOOL EBF STALLIONS BREEDING WINNERS OCTOBER STAKES (Listed) 7F

Battlement has taken a while to get the hang of racing, but this scopey filly from an excellent family has improved on recent starts, and though this represents her stiffest task to date, she could well represent value against more exposed rivals.

Roger Charlton’s filly was beaten in a handicap at Windsor on her latest start, but that came over a bare six furlongs, and she was very strong at the finish, suggesting further progress now back up in trip.

She goes without the cheekpieces she has worn on her last few starts, and although they helped her knuckle down in previous races, it’s to be hoped that she’s now professional enough to thrive without them.

2:30 GIGASET CUMBERLAND LODGE STAKES (Group 3) 1M4F

It’s possible that this rise in class will be the undoing of Duretto, but his course record is a solid one and he was facing a tough task taking on Muntahaa at Chester last time. He acquitted himself well in going down to that rival in a photo, and pulled clear of the others, which justifies the decision to give him a crack at this Group 3 contest.

Sir Michael Stoute appears to have a stranglehold on the race with both Arab Spring and King’s Fete, but three wins from three dozen runners in the last fortnight isn’t a spectacular haul by the master trainer’s standards, and his runners are often over bet.

Sumbal is respected on the form he’s shown for Francis-Henri Graffard, and makes his first start for David Simcock here.

3:05 JOHN GUEST BENGOUGH STAKES (Group 3) 6F

Shalaa is the clear pick on ratings here, but there must be a serious doubt over what ability remains after a year’s absence, especially since he was such a precocious juvenile.

He can’t be backed with confidence on his return from injury, but he does help make the market, which ensures a decent price about Wokingham winner Outback Traveller.

The son of Bushranger never travelled when dropped back to five furlongs at York next time but that run is easily excused and many of his best efforts have come at this venue.

Now with Robert Cowell, Outback Traveller is a horse whose trainer believes doesn’t want jar in the ground, for all he’s a winner on firm in the past, and the showers forecast for Ascot will hopefully materialise to take any sting out of the turf.

He’s a high-class performer when getting his conditions, and looks much too big in the betting on the pick of his form.

Don’t Touch is the other to make some appeal, and he was in too deep when well held in the July Cup on his latest outing. This race is significantly easier, and he should bounce back.

3:40 TOTESCOOP6 CHALLENGE CUP 7F

The way Librisa Breeze has shaped on his last two starts at this track mark him down as the likeliest winner here, but the form of the Dean Ivory yard (one win from his last 50-odd runners) is a serious concern, and he’s passed over as a result.

It’s tempting to try to find the winner from the course-and-distance event won by Dutch Law last month, when several of his rivals enjoyed no luck, and cases can be made for Firmament, Squats and Suzi’s Connoisseur from that formline, but the vote instead goes to Right Touch, who is better than ever as a six-year-old, and arrives here fresher than most having raced only twice since April.

He beat Kimberella at Chester in July, and ran better still when second to Breakable there last time.

He is tactically versatile, which is important in a race that has only one front-runner, and he is at his best on good or softer ground, so will appreciate any overnight rain.

The handicapper has not been particularly harsh on him for his recent efforts, and he has more going for him than most in this line-up.

4:15 ASCOT AND CAMRA 10th ANNIVERSARY ROUS STAKES (Listed) 5F

Kimberella has been a revelation this year, winning three times and putting up a career-best effort when winning comfortably at Ripon a week ago. That came over six furlongs, but he’s been equally effective at this trip in the past, and is the pick on form if that run is taken at face value.

His fifth in the Ayr Gold Cup reads perfectly well, but he definitely upped his game again at Ripon, and he will take the beating if running to the same level, with the bonus of being drawn next to likely pacesetter Iseemist. A low draw is normally a concern over this trip at Ascot, but most of the pace appears to be in the middle, and that should be advantageous for the selection.

4:50 MCGEE GROUP JOINING JACK HANDICAP (5F)

Shamshon caught the eye when mid-field over six furlongs here last month, having been stuck in the wrong place under an apprentice, and that wasn’t the first time this season he’d shaped better than the bare result, so he’s taken to win a run-of-the-mill handicap with Jamie Spencer on board.

The selection was a trifle disappointing at Kempton last time having travelled well, but he’s still fairly treated on balance and should get the race run to suit for a change.

Dutch Masterpiece is another from an in-form yard who is well treated on his best form, but the balance of his 2016 form suggests he’s not the force of old.

RECOMMENDED

DURETTO 2.30 Ascot – 0.5pts e/w @ 16/1 (Betway)

OUTBACK TRAVELLER 3.05 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 12/1 (general)

RIGHT TOUCH 3.40 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 16/1 (general)

KIMBERELLA 4.15 Ascot – 1pt win @ 8/1 (general)