Ascot Friday Preview - 03/09/21

The first event of the afternoon is the six furlong Novice Stakes and we are giving a final chance to the William Haggas trained Khanjar, who seems to be better than his last outing.

The two year old son of Kodiac made a very impressive debut over seven furlongs at Ascot in July, finishing a close up fourth and being an eye-catcher.

He was then sent into a Maiden at Glorious Goodwood, but the soft ground seemed to scupper any chances he had, but the race has turned out to be useful with the second since winning easily.

Down in trip to seven furlongs is a positive for him at this track and if building on his debut run then he could be tough to beat.

He should be much better now for his first two experiences and this race offers a nice chance to get off the mark.

Next up is the Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs and this event looks to be a two horse race between Sage for the Gosden's and Richard Hannon's Monet's Sunrise.

The two year old we are siding with is Saga who looks to just about have the best form in the race and having one more run should be more experienced.

Owned by the Queen, the son of Invincible Spirit made his debut at Newmarket over seven furlongs when a close second behind the talented Modern Games.

He then stepped up to a mile last time out back at Newmarket and again had to settle for second behind another nice type for Godolphin on debut.

Improvement is needed but he should go close again on his bare form.

A competitive event at the Berkshire track on Friday is the Class 3 Classified Stakes over a mile and we think it could be a good day for the Queen with Inveigle set to close in this event

The three year old was a fair juvenile being tried over shorter distances but on his final start last year when stepped up to seven furlongs he got off the mark in taking style at Chelmsford.

Michael Bell's son of Dark Angel has been seen five times this season, needing his first two runs, but then went to Yarmouth and got off the mark for the term in a decent event.

Bumped up to a mark of 91 he has struggled in some tough events, but his latest fourth of eight in his best field to date was encouraging.

Down a lb to a mark of 90, he looks weighted to go well in this field which looks easier than his last race.

One of our best bets on the card comes in the Class 2 Handicap over 1m4f with the Mark Johnston trained Love Is Golden looking set to run a big race.

The three year old will be joined by Silvestre De Sousa for the ride which is a bonus and off the back of his two latest runs, he warrants respect.

Having won at Chester on seasonal debut, he then went onto slightly struggle, but at the start of August bounced back to form in a big way when landing a staying event on the Roodee.

He then backed that up last time out when a good second behind a smart type for William Haggas at Hamilton and off the same mark he is feasibly treated in this field.

Big chance.

One of the smartest races of the afternoon is the Class 2 Handicap over a mile and we can't look past Fantastic Fox for Roger Varian.

The son of Frankel was highly touted for his run over course and distance two starts ago but could only grab a good third.

Before that he was weak at Royal Ascot over 10f, but did land a good event at Hamilton by close to eight lengths, with the second winning next time out.

He got back to winning ways in soft ground at Haydock last time out, showing his true potential and he should be even better getting back to faster conditions.

More to come.

The penultimate event of the afternoon at Ascot sees the Class 4 Handicap over six furlongs and the Patrick Owens trained Prontissimo looks the one to beat.

The son of Toronado has been seen five times this term, making a lovely debut when second over a mile at Kempton and he then backed that up by getting off the mark at the same track stepping back a furlong.

He was a bit taken back on turf debut, when slightly finding the experience too much, but he learnt for that in a big way when back at Doncaster next time out over 7f, finishing a good second.

The gelding was another runner up last time out back at Kempton over 7f and this stiff six furlongs at Ascot should be right up his street.

The final event of the day sees Class 4 Handicap over seven furlongs and Rogue Bear for Tom Clover could be the value in the race.

The three year old steps up for his handicap debut having looked smart on both of his starts to date in maiden company, handling both good and soft ground.

Bought bought for 33,000gns as a two year old he made his debut over six furlongs at Doncaster and ran out a very taking winner.

Looking to back it up under a penalty he could only finish a close up third, still showing big potential and now making his handicap debut off a mark of 79, that could be lenient.