Rory Delargy

ASCOT SATURDAY

1:50 HOPE AND HOMES FOR CHILDREN ROUS STAKES (Listed) 5F

It was heartbreaking to watch last week’s nap Stake Acclaim caught on the line in the rearranged Ayr Gold Cup, but the decision to stick with him after his previous luckless effort was justified, and his formlines tie in closely with Sir Robert Cheval here, the Robert Cowell-trained gelding having run second to Stake Acclaim over course and distance in the Shergar Cup when last seen. Given the subsequent exploits of the winner, it’s fair to say Sir Robert Cheval’s performance deserves to be marked up to some degree, and while he’d be better off with a few of these in a handicap, he does not have much to find on form, and is clearly ideally suited by the prevailing conditions.

He also arrives fresher than most, and looks sure to outrun his forecast odds.

Waady lost his way after running well in last year’s King’s Stand Stakes, but has been coaxed back to form by John Gosden, and is very likely to start a short-priced favourite after a big run at Newbury on his latest start. He’s rightly feared, but it’s doubtful whether he will represent an attractive price for the working man.

2:25 GIGASET CUMBERLAND LODGE STAKES (Group 3) 1M 3F 211Y

Secret Number and Waldgeist are the pair to aim at here, but are far from invincible at the head of affairs, with a chance taken on Danehill Kodiac now he’s back on easier ground and at a track he clearly relishes. The four-year-old entire never runs a bad race, but he’s not been seen to best effect on his last two starts, unsuited by tactical affairs at Kempton and Newbury, but running well regardless. As he showed last year, he has great heart for a battle, and a well-run race at this stiff track, especially with significant ease in the ground, will bring his best qualities to the fore. He’s got very little to find with the principals, and is sure to bring his A-game as always.

3:00 JOHN GUEST BENGOUGH STAKES (Group 3) 6F

Blue Point was disappointing in the Sprint Cup at Haydock, but his previous form reads extremely well in the context of this race, and he’s run well over track and trip, with his third in the Commonwealth Cup behind Caravaggio and Harry Angel the standout piece of form on offer. He managed to beat Harry Angel here when the pair made their respective seasonal debuts, and while that form must be taken in context, it still paint a complimentary picture of the son of Shamardal. The big question is whether he will handle the ground, but whatever the conditions are like on the straight course at Ascot, they will be less testing than at Haydock, and the Godolphin colt deserves the benefit of the doubt.

The talented Danzeno saves his best for this venue, and is the obvious alternative, especially given he had excuses (drawn on wrong side and lost a shoe) when a very respectable seventh in the Stewards’ Cup on his most recent start.

3:35 TOTESCOOP6 CHALLENGE CUP (7F)

The ground may not be quite as testing as when Mjjack was an excellent second to Remarkable in a similar contest at Ascot’s last meeting, but he seems progressive granted some ease underfoot, and is clearly well suited by track and trip. A 2lb rise is fair for his latest performance, and he is meeting many of his opponents from that race again.

One other factor which the two races have in common is a relative lack of pace, on paper at least, and while Maura Gittins’s colt was helped by having a good track position last time, that looks a factor which will play into his hands again, and the advantage of a soft lead will not be lost on him.

Mrs Gittins has a big weekend to look forward to with Fayonagh due to make her hurdles debut just a few minutes prior to this contest, and hopefully Mjjack can do his bit for the team here.

Firmament has been my pick in a couple of similar contests here this season, and I’m loath to desert him, but he’s more reliant than most on a solid pace, and the dearth of front runners is a slight negative to his chances. He remains one to be interested in granted the right scenario, however.

4:45 MCGEE LIGHTHOUSE CLUB HANDICAP (5F)

I find myself inexorably drawn to the siren call of Lincoln in the Ascot finale – Mick Channon’s enigmatic performer has caused me (and others) to cry bitter tears in the past, and we should all know better, but still he beckons. He’s looked as good as ever this year, and while he’s coming off a break, he ran well enough on his seasonal return, and has gained all his successes in the autumn, so this could well be the time to catch him.

He does stay a fair bit further than this, but he snapped a long losing run over five furlongs at Ayr’s Western meeting last year, and there is no doubt that he can cope with a well-run race at the minimum trip on that evidence.

Justice Lady has clicked of late, and impressed when winning over this trip at Sandown last month, quickening in the style of a smart performer, and she is sure to win more races. Her very best efforts have come on quicker ground, however, and that is enough to put me off here.

Erissimus Maximus will have no problems with the ground and could have a tactical advantage in being able to race prominently given that there is again no guarantee of a strong pace, although not many races at Ascot are stolen from the front.

Last weekend’s each-way selection Stake Aclaim was beaten a short-head at 20/1

RECOMMENDED:

SIR ROBERT CHEVAL 1.50 Ascot - 1pt e/w @ 13/2 (Ladbrokes)

DANEHILL KODIAC 2.25 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 16/1 (Paddy Power, BetVictor)

MJJACK 3.35 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (general)

LINCOLN 4.45 Ascot – 1pt win @ 14/1 Betfred/Totesport