Ascot July meeting

Ascot´s July meeting starts today, ad although tomorrow´s card, haeded by the King George, is obviously much better, there is also some good racing this afternoon. Although the fields are mainly small, all races look highly competitive. Main event is the mile listed race for fillies at 16.20 CET, in which course specialist Barshiba (David Elsworth/ Richard Quinn) bids to go one better than her excellent second place at 50/1 to Archipenko in the Summer Mile here a fortnight ago. Bahara (Gerard Butler/ Richard Hughes) and the 3yo Festivale (John Dunlop/ Ryan Moore) -a winner at the royal meeting here - will provide stern opposition. 7 line up in the traditional Brown Jack Stakes, a 2 mile handicap at 16.55, and there will be a lot of interest in Wicked Daze (Seb Sanders), now that Sir Mark Orescott has his bstring in such good form. He has not run since February, but won 3 races from 4 starts on the all-weather during the winter. 11yo German-bred Caracciola (Nicky Henderson/ Eddie Ahern) loves this ground and cannot be ignored, while Colloquial (Henry Candy/ Fergaal Sweeney) meets thre latter on better terms for a narrow defeat last year and is another danger. Another trainer in excellent form is Andrew Balding, and his Buccellati (William Buick) can defy top weight in the 10 furlongs handicap at 17.30. There is also racing this afternoon, at a much lower level, at Thirsk and Wolverhampton. It is possibly significant that Godolophin have sent Kerrin McEvoy to Thirsk to partner the million dollar yearling Stalking Shadow in the first division of the 7 furlongs maiden at 14.30. He was third on his recent debut, and although backing hot favourites from the Godolphin stable has not been a path to punting riches, it is hard to see him getting beaten here. McEvoy can also win the 2yo fillies maiden on Paul Cole´s Dream in Waiting, his only other ride. Sir Mark Prescott can also score at Wolverhampton´s all-weather meeting, where both Haven´t a Clue (Jean-Pierre Guillambert) in the 6 furlongs nursery at 17.10 and Spanish Conquest (Rosie Jessop) in the 2 mile apprentice handicap have good prospects of success.