Daryl Carter's Tips: King Frankie can Steel 7/2 the show in Champion Stakes

• Jackie Oh has plenty more to offer up in distance

• Nashwa will relish a straight mile

• King Of Steel is the one to give Frankie the perfect send-off

I was desperate to get stuck into the first two races at Newton Abbot this week. The 13:05 Novice Chase and the 13:40 Intermediate Chase are races that are typically big money spinners for me throughout the National Hunt season. Still, the field sizes have been reduced to three in both contests, and the "predicted" market odds favour both of the Paul Nicholls horses I wanted to punt.

I was at Paul's yard earlier this week and saw both work exceptionally well. Iceo in the opener should take plenty of beating if he is to live up to the expectations of being competitive in his graded contest at Sandown on Tingle Creek weekend - I like him.

Similarly, Complete Unknown has found a good opening on seasonal return. He kicked off a shoe as I watched him wing fences, which is now on my desk but was very fresh and looked as fit as a butcher's dog bouncing around the schooling yard.

Both of those should go well; I was tempted to play in the 15:35 Handicap Hurdle - a contest in which I had it between West To The Bridge and Rose Of Arcadia.

The latter has an excellent record on deep ground with career form figures of 1211211, and she bolted up last year on return at Chepstow. Still, West to the Bridge shaped with plenty of encouragement on return at Uttoxeter and hosed up by ten lengths on his only visit. Anyway, I left the entire card alone, hoping for better elsewhere.

That wasn't the case, having gone through the Market Rasen card with the only race of serious interest, the 16:08 Handicap Chase. I was a big fan of Datsalrightgino this time last year. Still, I couldn't be confident about how ready he would be the first time up and with his target, the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, there were enough concerns without accounting for the fact that he jumps slightly left.

Shan Blue is interesting, and Angels Breath has a big performance in him for Sam Thomas, who has had this owner's runners ready to fire the first time out. All in all, I decided to watch and learn.

I was nearly tempted to break my rule of backing in only Class 3 and above races with Holly in the 16:35 at Stratford, given I had a strong time figure for her at Wincanton last year, but then I thought better of it. If she is anywhere near 13/27.50 - and that's a complete guess up - I'd be interested, but rules are rules.

Anyway, onto what I will bet today.

13:50 Ascot - No Bet

Vadream has been well supported this week because of the abundant rain that has fallen, and while she has placed claims, there's no chance she is a better horse than last year's winner, Kinross 6/42.50.

Vadream is of possible interest in the W/O market @ 4/15.00. However, people must remember that these conditions favour the outstanding Kinross as much, if not more, than Charlie Fellowes' runner.

Still, the market has spoken in favour of Kinross this week, but he is an absolute basement price at his current 7/42.75, and that's moved into 6/42.50 as I am writing. Still, he strongly appeals as the most likely winner.

He was unlucky in the Foret in Paris last time but hit the line very hard, having been denied a clear run at a crucial stage, and he peaks at this time of year.

He is very hard to get away from, given he is the sole Group 1 horse (and winner) in the field, and he has held the second favourite Vadream and more already in his career.

There's a good chance he would have won this race in 2021 with a clear run, having finished beaten four lengths on the bridle, and he was an effortless winner last season.

There are no negatives to his chances today, particularly with a good draw bang in the middle of the field, but I want value in anything I am backing, and I see that with him at 9/43.25 or bigger, and that's wishful dreaming, so I have to let him win at his current price.

The horse that interests me outside of the very worthy favourite is Sense Of Duty - currently 10/111.00 on the Betfair Sportsbook - but she is much bigger in the win and place market at a general 14/115.00 elsewhere and 16/117.00 with one firm, and that's where I'd be happy at.

Still, given the Betfair Sportsbook is ducking her a little, I thought about getting creative. However, the 7/18.00 in the without market looks tight enough.

She needs to step forward, but there was plenty of encouragement from her on return at Newbury on heavy ground over an inadequate five furlongs. That run would have blown away the cobwebs, putting to bed any doubts about the surface today.

She bolted up in the Chipstead Stakes at Newcastle last term and easily brushed aside the smart Annaf. She is talented and less exposed than the rest of this field, which is chock full of Group 3 performers at best.

She appeals from an each-way perspective but only at 12/113.00 or bigger. All in all, I had to move on.

14:25 Ascot - Back Jackie Oh @ 7/24.50 2pt

The first bet comes in the form of Jackie Oh - 7/24.50 on the Betfair Sportsbook - who has progressed with each run this season, and according to the clock, she looks ready for a step up in distance to 1m4f.

She was highly thought of earlier this year, having been thrown into the Irish 1,000 Guineas on just her third outing on the back of a Maiden win, but she was caught too far out of her ground in a slowly run race at the Curragh - a venue where it pays to be on the pace.

Still, it was a promising effort, and she went off joint-favourite for the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot off of a rating of 102. She may have found the ground too quick (good to firm), having disappointed, but she bounced back with three excellent efforts since.

She clocked the fastest final three furlongs from off the pace at the Curragh in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes (again hindered by being held up) before putting in an excellent shift in Paris behind the smart Blue Rose Cen in the Group 1 Prix de l'Opera Longines (closing right to the line).

She certainly has a bigger performance, and today's race doesn't look deep despite the numbers. I expect her to enhance the excellent three-year-old record in this race (they won the last six and eight of the last ten).

Back her at 11/43.75 or bigger.

15:05 Ascot - Back Nashwa @ 9/25.50 1pt

The popularity of Nashwa - 9/25.50 on the Betfair Sportsbook - has slightly curbed my enthusiasm, but she has the optimal set-up here. A straight mile and a race stacked full of pace. She will have no issue with deep ground, and she has a four-pound swing with Paddington for their meeting in the Juddmonte at York in August.

She is the class act in this contest, and her latest narrow third in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown is an outstanding piece of form in the context of this race, while she deserved an upgrade there.

She is on a steep upward curve, and Paddington wasn't at his best on deep ground at Goodwood, highlighted by the proximity of the three finishing behind him - all of which have been beaten next time.

I would be confident that Tahiyra has a limited amount to offer, and she needs to improve to meet the level of the selection.

All is in place for a big run from Nashwa, who has shown a bright turn of foot on the clock to suggest 1m is her optimum distance.

Back her at 11/43.75 or bigger.

15:45 Ascot - Back King Of Steel @ 7/24.50 2pt

I'd make King Of Steel - 7/24.50 on the Betfair Sportsbook - favourite for this race at 5/23.50. His effort in the Irish Champion - similar to Nashwa - was worth an upgrade, and he left the impression that he had a bigger performance.

He won't mind any dig in the ground, and even if the tracks are switched, I can't imagine it will be as quick as the form horse Mostahdaf would want.

This is less demanding than the Irish Champion last time for King Of Steel, and with no Auguste Rodin to be concerned with, this looks the perfect opportunity to gain a well-deserved Group 1 victory.

Bay Bridge ran better than his finishing position in the Arc last time, having been too keen to do himself justice, but he, My Prospero and Dubai Honour are all exposed to an extent.

Horizon Dore is a horse firmly on the up, but he needs to prove he can travel outside of France, and this is far stronger than anything he has contested to date.

King Of Steel has proven his ability to go well at this venue, and all looks in place for a big run.

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