Ascot stages a decent card on Friday to whet the appetite for a big racing weekend on the turf.
Michael Wigham does well with his small string and Charter can follow up his recent Newmarket victory in the opening race. He was given a patient ride by Jim Crowley and ran on late to win over six furlongs that day but has form over seven. A 4lb rise may not be sufficient to prevent a follow up Crowley can navigate his way through this large field.
Ryan Moore rode a perfect race on Consign to get up in the dying strides over a mile last time out and he teams up with Jeremy Noseda’s gelding in the 2.30 race. He has to give weight to all of his rivals here but won at the corresponding meeting last year. Moore will try to keep him covered up again here. Kempton winner Compton has claims, as does Secret Art who was second in a good handicap at the same venue but is not the most reliable horse in training.
Stefanie Hofer had a nightmare ride on Telmeyd on Shergar Cup day when he reared leaving the stalls, giving his rivals a six-lengths advantage. To his credit, the horse made up much of the ground before the effort took its toll and he finished fourth. He was behind Golden Steps that day but I would be surprised if he cannot turn the tables on Friday. Ryan Moore has a fine book of rides and this will be one of his most fancied.
The feature race is the Noel Murless Stakes over the St Leger distance. On form, Leger fifth Marzocco should win this for John Gosden and William Buick. He has run creditably all season including when an unlucky third in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. He holds Big Orange on that form but a bigger danger may come from Mizzou, trained by Luca Cumani. He looked to be going nowhere at Haydock last time but stayed on relentlessly to win off a mark of 89. He has a lot more to do here but could still be improving.
Above The Rest looks worth following in the fifth race after making all to win at Newbury. He is up 5lbs but had the field in trouble a furlong from home and does not look harshly treated with 8st 12lb. Ryan Moore will again be popular in the last race on Alan King’s Fire Fighter but I’m just siding with Jelly Fish and Amanda Perrett. He is not the quickest horse to carry the Abdullah silks by any means but was beaten by a rapidly improving horse in Moscato last time out.
Charter 2.00 @11-2 Coral
Consign 2.30 @8-1 Coral
Telmeyd 3.05 @2-1 Ladbrokes
Marzocco 3.40 @13-8 Coral
Above The Rest 4.15 @6-1 Ladbrokes
Jelly Fish 4.50 @7-2 Bet365
