rest of today´s racing

the other big race today is the Group Two York Stakes over 10 furlongs at 15.55 CET. Mukhadram (Wolliam Haggas/ Paul Hanagan) is the obvious favourite here; he was a very unlucky third in the Eclipse and would almost certainly have finished second but for being badly hampered. None of his opponents can boast form of this standard and it is signifcant that Hanagan goes to York to ride him rather than to Ascot.
There is also another group race at Ascot - the Princess Margaret Stakes for 2yo fillies at 15.05. This 6 furlongs event is for fillies just below the very top, and we think Queen Catrine (Charlie Hills/ Olivier Peslier) and Wind Fire (David Brown/ Jamie Spencer), both third in good company last time, fit the bill; as the latter has so far raced only 5 furlongs, we give slight preference to the former, who is proven at the trip.
The handicaps, especially at Ascot, look extremely difficult. Our 3 against the field at 15.40 are Cape Peron (Henry Candy/ Dane O´neill), Tarikhi (Saeed bin Surooir/ Mickael Barzalona) and Machete Mark (Ger Lyons/ Gary Carroll), and in a huge field at 16.15, Es Que Love (Mark Johnston/ Peslier), Redvers (Ed Vaiughan/ Richard Hughes) and Excellent Guest (George Margarson/ Dane O´Neill). The effect of the draw is always a problem here, although yesterday it seemed that low numbers had the advantage; this can however change, especially it is rains, as is forecast.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Our Obsession - Velvety - Nemushka
2. Race: Smarty Socks - Dark Castle - Al Khan
3. Race: Grandeur - The Apache - Wigmore Hall
4. Race: Khubala - Tropics - Baccarat
5. Race: Hot Streak - Pensax Lad - Kickboxer
6. Race: Dr Irv - Flashman - Moidore
7. Race: Innocently - Baytown Kestrel - Hello Beautiful