Mr Lupton 7/2
The opener is the Duke Of Edinburgh's Award Rous Stakes. This Listed race over the minimum distance of 5f looks a good opportunity for MR LUPTON to defy a penalty and follow up his Group 3 victory at Newbury in September.
The Richard Fahy trained five-year-old was mightily impressive that day and whilst the horse can chuck in the odd poor run, a repeat of that performance will see him win again.
First Eleven 11/8
Next up is the Stella Artois Cumberland Lodge Stakes. This looks somewhat a penalty kick for John Gosden's three-year-old FIRST ELEVEN.
Whilst his previous performance in Group company left something to be desired, his performance in a high grade handicap over C&D last time out shows he absolutely belongs at this level and possibly beyond it.
Limato 9/4
The feature of the day is the John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (Group 3) over 6f. It would seem naïve to ignore the emphatic return to form of the top class LIMATO.
The horse has Group 1 victories to his name and whilst his loss of form could only be described as mystifying, his return to form has been emphatic.
With Listed victories the last twice he can continue his resurgence for Henry Candy and Harry Bentley.
Cape Byron 11/2
It is back into handicap company for the Class 2 Bet With Ascot Challenge Cup.
It looks open but Roger Varian's CAPE BYRON is preferred in this 18 runner field. The horse has solid recent form finishing second in handicaps of this class in his last two outings.
The four-year-old out of Shamardal also has course form and should be a tough nut to crack.
Eirene
Next up is the Neptune Investment Management British EBF October Stakes.
This Listed race can go to Dean Ivory's three-year-old EIRENE. The horse won on a class 2 on his penultimate start before finishing second in a Group 3 by just 3/4 of a length last time out.
That isn't the only time the horse has performed admirably at that level and the Filly can take home the spoils with Robert Winston aboard.
Big Lachie
The last of the action at Ascot is the McGee Group Handicap.15 runners go to post and BIG LACHIE can be the first of them home.
The four-year-old one a handicap in this grade of a mark of 75 last time out. He is now running off 79 and can defy that rise. He is ultra-consistent, carrying bottom weight and is sure to hit the frame.
Jockey Gabriel Malune is also in good form (19% last 14 days) and can find himself riding a horse into the winners enclosure once again.
