Start of 3 day Ascot meeting

Ascort´s big Septmeber meting srarts today, although the top events are all run tomorrow. Ascot has now announced grandiose plans to hold a huge "Champions Day" meeting next October, to include the Champion Stakes, to be transferred from Newmarket. Not suprisingly this has aroused plenty of opposition, not only from traditionalists who see no reason why the Champion Stakes should be moved from its established venue, but especially from the French racing authorities, who justifiably feel that the proposed date - two weeks after the Arc meeting -comes too close to their top fixture of the year.

As for today, the main event is the listed race for fillies over 1 1/2 miles at 16.45 CET. Pollys Mark (Clive Cox/ Richard Hughes) is very consistent at this level and is top-rated; she seems certain to be in the money, but strong opposition comes from two improving fillies who are both unbeaten this year. Ferdous (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) has won both her starts very easily, but is taking a huge leap in class here, while Sparkling Smile (David Lanigan/ Ted Durcan) is also moving up in grade after winning her last 5 races. Both are probably better than their current rating suggests, but they will need to be if they are to defeat Pollys Mark.

At the other meetings, we hope that Micky Fenton can kick off a successful weekend (i.e. Cologne on Sunday!) by winning the mile handicap at 17.30 at Haydock on Tom Tate´s Leviathan.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Darajaat - Apace - Byrony
2. Race: Rock N Roll Ransom - Splinter Cell - Don`T Call Me
3. Race: Deacon Blues - Joe Packet - Kanaf
4. Race: Ferdoos - Polly`S Mark - Sparkling Smile
5. Race: Bronze Prince - Bramshaw - Kajima
6. Race: Safari Journey - Switched Off - Mykingdomforahorse