Ascot, Carlisle and Pontefract

today is the third and final day of the July meeting at Ascot, but obviously the card cannot compare to the heroic races staged yesterday. The two valuable handicaps that close the card are the best betting races but are both wide open. 15 runners go over 1 1/2 miles at 17.35 CET and 26 (!) ovr 5 furlongs at 17.10. Our short list in the former race includes Storyland (William Haggas/ Kirsty Milczorek), Spring Jim (James Fanshawe/ Michael Hills) and Hevelius (Walter Swinburn/ Shane Kelly), while in the latter one must choose between 8 Dandy Nicholls entries; Sonny Red (Richard Hughes), Mandurah (with son Adrian in the saddle) and Northern Dare (Franny Norton) are possibly the best chances for the sprint specialist. Also at Ascot, Poppets Lovein (Andy Haynes/ Stephen Donohoe) is expected to run well in the 3yo maiden fillies race over a mile at 15.50; she is a half-sister to Overdose. The listed race at Pontefract over a mile at 16.50 has attracted a good field, headed by Godol phin´s Orizaba (Ahmed Ajtebi) and the lightly-raced Racketeer (John Gosden/ Nicky Mackay). At Carlisle, two likely winning favourites are the unbeaten Saga de Tercey (Alan Swinbank/ Serena Brotherton) in the amateur lady riders handicap at 16.35 and Visit Royale (Sir Michal Stout/ Tom Eaves) in the 9 furlongs maiden at 17.45.

Betting forecast Ascot:
1. Race: - -
2. Race: In Secret - Mezenah - Sterling Sound
3. Race: Bajan Tryst - Lucky Numbers - New Leyf
4. Race: Shamali - Just Lille - Proponent
5. Race: Overrule - Sabotage - Jawaab
6. Race: Sonny Red - Northern Dare - Hamish Mcgonagall