Listed races at Ascot and York

obviously the top events are tomorrow, but Ascot and York both warm up today with some nice racing and a listed race at each track. Main event at Ascot is the mile race for fillies at 16.20 CET. To be honest, this looks a weak field for a listed race here, and the result should be decided between Primevere (Roger Charlton/ Steve Drowne) and Winters Night (Clive Cox/ Luke Morris), both 3yo´s.

Best of the older horses is Soorah (William Haggas/ Ryan Moore), but we shall go with the consistent Primevere, one of the few runners of genuine listed class. Charlton and Drowne can follow up with Keys in the 2 mile handicap at 16.55; this smart bumper horse was a very easy winner last time and still seems well handicapped; he is out of the German mare Freni and thus a half-brother to the group winner Clowance.

York´s main event is also a listed race for fillies at 20.30, this time over 10 furlongs. Rainbow Springs (John Gosden/ William Buick) is clearly the better of the two 3yo´s but we expect the older horses to come out on top. Both Contredanse (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon) and Sajjhaa (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) are entered in the Yorkshire Oaks and they stand out here. This could be a great weekend for Frankie and he can start off by winning this.

Incidentally, Buick will be at Thirsk this afternoon to ride Godolphin´s Hellenistic in the 2yo fillies maiden at 16.10 and the tip should be taken. Otherwise Michael Hills looks the jockey to follow here. At Newmarket this evening, we like the chances of ex-German group winner Aspectus (Jamie Osborne/ Sophie Doyle) in the mile handicap at 20.10.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Ivor`S Princess - Hello Glory - Rain Dance
2. Race: Mehdi - Caledonian Spring - Strident Force
3. Race: Primevere - Winter`S Night - Sooraah
4. Race: Keys - Mountain Hiker - Colour Vision
5. Race: Troopingthecolour - Oceanway - Point North
6. Race: Cono Zur - First Post - Islesman