Ascot festival: final day

Today is the third and final day of Ascot s big September meeting and the main event is the Group Two Diadem Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.15 CET. With 15 runners, this looks wide open, but JJ the Jet Plane, now trained by Richard Hannon and ridden ths time by Dane O´Neill would have a great chance if back to his best. However he will need to be at his best, which he has not shown in recent outings, to see off High Standng (William Haggas/ Ryan Moore), Dream Eater (Andrew Balding/ William Buick), Palace Moon (Hughie Morrison/ Steve Drowne) and French raider Mariol (Robert Collet/ Christophe Lemaire). Main supporting race is the Group Three Cumberland Lodge Stakes over 1 1/2 miles at 15.40. Debbie Mountain´s Masterofthehorse (ex Aidan O Brien) has tzhe highest rating here, although Kieren Fallon, who has been booked to ride, is not certain to be able to following his neck problems yesterday. In any case we prefer Godolphin´ns Campanologist (Dane O´Neill), the Queen´s Kingdom of Fife (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) and Red Rocks (Brian Meehan/ Martin Dwyer). The last-named has not run since finishing down the field behind Eastern Anthem (runs Cologne today) in Dubai in March, but a repeat of his 2007 Breeders Cup form would see him the winner in this company. Also on the Ascot card is a listed race over 2 miles at 17.15. The Betchworth Kid (Michael Bell/ Hayley Turner) has a theoretical leading chance here, but the going may be too firm for his and we prefer the consistent Swingkeel (John Dunlop/ Ryan Moore). There is also flat racing in the U.K. at Musselburgh and N.H. racing from Market Rasen.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Storyland - Chiberta King - Night Crescendo
2. Race: Kingdom Of Fife - Campanologist - Masterofthehorse
3. Race: High Standing - Dream Eater - J J The Jet Plane
4. Race: Astonishment - Pleasant Day - Guest Book
5. Race: The Betchworth Kid - Swingkeel - Oasis Knight
6. Race: Credit Swap - Fanunalter - Tartan Gunna