Strong card at Ascot

Despite the attraction of nearby Lingfield, Ascot also stages a strong card today, beginning with a listed race over 1 1/2 miles at 14.10 CET. Several possibilities here, including course specialist Young Mick (George Margarson/ Robert Winston) and Ivy Creek (Geoff Wragg/ Steve Drowne), but the one to beat is Luca Cumani´s Lion Sands (Jamie Spencer), whose trainer and jockey will be rushing off to Lingfield right after the race for Curtain Call´s Derby trial. The big betting race at Ascot is the Victoria Handicap over 7 furlongs at 15.20; 26 runners are declared, although there are likely to be some non-runners. Barry Hills sets a poser by saddling three, with twin sons Michael and Richard partnering Dabbers Ridge and Zaahid respectively, while Richard Quinn rides Giganticus, who has arguably the best chance on this good to firm ground. The going will also suit veteran Mine (Jamie Bethell/ Kerrin McEvoy), who won this race in 2004. Al Khaleej (Ed Dunlop/ Ryan Moore) is the likely favourite, after a very easy win on the all-weather, but of course this is much tougher.