Ascot opens doors for 2009 flat season

Ascot stages its first flat meeting of 2009 this afternoon, with a good card headed by the Group Three Sagaro Stakes over 2 miles at 16.55 CET. This should go to Sir Michael Stoute´s Patkai (Ryan Moore), who looked a smart young stayer when winning the Queen´s Vase at the Royal meeting last year. Although he disappointed afterwards, he should really win this, with front-runner Tungsten Strike (Amanda Perrett/ Darryll Holland) the main danger. There are also two listed races here, with the mile race at 16.20 featuring Laa Rayb (Royston Ffrnch), from Mark Johnston´s in-form stable. Hopelessly outclassed at Hong Kong behind Good Ba Ba and co, Laa Rayb is certainly good enough to win this on his previous form; he was an excellent runner-up to Precious Boy in Cologne in September. Ordnance Row (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) and General Elliott (Paul Cole/ Frankie Dettori) can take the minor places. The 6 furlongs race for 3yo´s at 17.30 looks very tricky, but top-weight Elnawin (Hannon/ Pat Dobbs) and Damien (Barry and Michael Hills), second and fourth in a similar event on the all-weather last time, should be involved. Many of the 20 runners in the mile handicap at 18.05 are fit from the all-weather, including German-bred Grey Boy (Tony Carroll/ Shane Kelly), an easy winner at Kempton last time and he could go well again.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Red Jazz - Archers Road - Walkingonthemoon
2. Race: Rose Diamond - Uvinza - Honest Quality
3. Race: Laa Rayb - Ordnance Row - General Eliott
4. Race: Patkai - Tungsten Strike - Young Mick
5. Race: Elnawin - Marine Boy - Damien
6. Race: Brouhaha - Marajaa - Grey Boy