3 group races at Ascot

A strong Saturday card at Ascot today, with 3 Group Three races and a hot handicap.The Cornwallis Stakes for 2yo´s over 5 furlongs at 15.30 CET looks quite open with 14 runners, but Dinkum Diamond (Henry Candy/ Dane O´Neill), runner-up to the speedy Zebedee at Doncaster, looks the one to beat. The Bengough Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.05 looks even more dfficult with 18 runners.

Redford (David Nicholls/ Richard Hughes) is the most interesting runner, having come back to form with a bang; after winning the Ayr Gold Cup over this trip, he was very impressive over 7 furlongs here a fortnight ago, in two of the toughest handicaps of the year. However he has little in hand of Genki (Roger Charlton/ Steve Drowne) on Ayr form, while Bewitched (Charles O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh) won a similar race at the Curragh last time and must be taken seriously, as should be last years winner Royal Rock (Chris Wall/ George Baker).

The final group race is the Autumn Stakes for 2yo´s over a mile. Toulain (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) has not run since the summer, which could be a problem, and we prefer Masked Marvel (John Gosden/ William Buick), who was heavily backed in his debut and ran out a comfortable winner of a Sandown maiden over this distance. Obviously this is a much better race, but he is rated highly (Derby entry) and can move up successfully in grade.

The 1 1/2 mile handicap at 16.40 looks really difficult. Prompter (Michael Bell/ Martin Lane) and The Fonz (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) were a close second and third in a similar race over this CD at the last meeting and must come on to the short list. But we also like Sirvino (David Barron/ Tom Eaves), up in trip but noted running on strongly last time at Pontefract, and especially Siberian Tiger (Michael Wigham/ Robert Winston), who was 6th in this race last year when trained by Tony Martin, and whose trainer landed a huge coup in the Cambridgshire last week.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Big Issue - Tazahum - Dubawi Gold
2. Race: Dinkum Diamond - Electric Waves - Pabusar
3. Race: Redford - Genki - Taajub
4. Race: Vulcanite - Prompter - The Fonz
5. Race: Masked Marvel - Toolain - Pausanias
6. Race: Rock N Roll Ransom - Spanish Duke - Seven Summits
7. Race: Humidor - Magical Speedfit - Ancient Cross