THE first four home in the Schweppes Handicap, run over seven furlongs at Ascot early last month, could all have a big say in the BetMGM Challenge Cup, set to be run over seven furlongs at Ascot this afternoon. Native Warrior came out on top last month, Karl Burke’s horse winning by one and a half lengths and a neck and two and three-quarter lengths from Great Acclaim and Mirabeau and Thunder Roar, and he is a logical favourite for today’s race, but you can make cases for all four.

Native Warrior is lightly raced and progressive. He was racing for just the 12th time last month, and he put up his best performance yet. He made smooth progress from the rear, and he kept on strongly after he hit the front to win impressively. It was his first run at Ascot too, he proved that he could handle the track.