Ascot today

the going at Ascot will be heavy today, and with many of the runners lacking all experience on such ground, punters should tread warily. The big betting race is the 7 furlongs Victoria Cup at 16.25 CET and, with 24 runners, another problem here could be the effect of the draw. Our guess is that the far side (high numbers) will be favoured, but we won´t know until a few races have been run. Our selection here is Fathsta (David Simcock/ Martin
Dwyer), drawn in the middle and who was a non-runner yesterday in a race at Chester won by a stable companion, but minimum stakes are recommended.
We have more confidence in ex-German Dawn Twister (Lucy Wadham/ Ian Mongan) in the listed race at 15.20, as he will love the ground and won well last time at Ripon. Aiken (John Gosden/ Ryan Moore), who has won his last 4 races, is an obvious danger, and so possibly is Tameen (Ed Dunlop/ Hayley Turner).
The fillies handicap over the straight mile at 15.50 is another tricky race. The Queen, who owns the racecourse, is unlikely to appear there today, but she could still have a winner with lightly-raced Free Verse (Richard Hannon/ Ryan Powell), who goes on the ground. Moone´s My Name (Ralph Beckett/ Martin Lane) and bottom-weight Chatterati (Mark Johnston/ Dominic Fox), both easy last-time-out winners, are the main dangers.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sir Maximilian - Show Flower - Tahnee Mara
2. Race: Aiken - Dawn Twister - Tameen
3. Race: Moone`S My Name - Certral - Free Verse
4. Race: Tariq Too - Pastoral Player - Hawkeyethenoo
5. Race: Hototo - Cay Verde - Janoub Nibras
6. Race: Mon Ami Jolie - Paradise Spectre - Seek The Fair Land
7. Race: Peace Seeker - Kylladdie - Interakt
8. Race: Grumeti - Local Hero - Dragonera