Top-class Saturday in store for racing fans

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 26 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

Timeform go through the highlights of a big day for Flat and jumps enthusiasts alike.

Saturday hails the second day of Ascot's autumn festival, with a strong mix of group race and handicap action on show on the seven-race card.

The highlight is the Group1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, which sees Henrythenavigator bidding to get back on track, having lost his unbeaten seasonal record when only fifth behind Goldikova in the Prix du Moulin last time. He faces opposition from her stablemate Tamayuz, winner of the Prix Jacques Le Marois and Prix Jean Prat this term, and old rival Raven's Pass.

Earlier on the card there is group action for the juvenile colts in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes, with Cityscape aiming to confirm the impression he made when winning at Salisbury last time.

In the fillies equivalent, sponsored by Meon Valley Stud, the highly promising Rainbow View aims to maintain her unbeaten record. Elsewhere on the card the seven-furlong Challenge Cup provides competitive handicap action, Barry Hills looking to hold a strong hand with market leaders Zaahid and Giganticus. The former has been below form on his last two starts, whilst the latter turned in a creditable effort when third in the International Stakes at this course in July.

The feature on Haydock's six-race card is the Betfred Ladies' Poker Tour Handicap over 14 furlongs in which Chester Cup contestants Greenwich Meantime and Double Banded reoppose. The former hasn't registered a success since his win in Chester's feature race 18 months ago, whilst the latter runs off the same mark as when fourth in this year's renewal. They face competition from the improving Crete, who put up a career-best effort when a three-quarter length second to Fiulin in the Victory Vase handicap at Yarmouth nine days ago.

The fifth race on the card, a two-year-old maiden, sees Sir Michael Stoute field Imposing, an encouraging second of five on his debut in a similar event at Leicester. The third that day, Hunterview, has already boosted the form when winning at Beverley, though interestingly his stable have chosen to take on Imposing again today with the newcomer Naheell, a son of Lomitas.

Jumps fans are also catered for, with action from Market Rasen. The 32Red.com £250 Bonus Novices' Chase (3.55) sees Alan King's improving Ouzbeck bidding to record his fourth novice chase this season and his fluent jumping will prove an asset.

By contrast, experienced campaigners contest the feature race on the card, the 32Red.com Handicap Chase (Listed Race) due off at 3.15. Nigel Twiston-Davies is doubly represented by Fundamentalist and Nudge and Nurdle whilst Peter Bowen fields three contenders in Iron Man (successful in 2007), Yes Sir and Always Waining. The Paul Nicholls-trained Roby de Cimbe is likely to be amongst the market leaders having found only Snoopy Loopy too good in a similar handicap at Newton Abbott on his previous outing.