Ascot Racing Tips: Timeform's three best bets for Friday

NAP: Chalk Stream can take step up in class in his stride

Chalk Stream - 15:05 Ascot

Chalk Stream has proved himself to be one of the most progressive handicappers around this season, putting up a decidedly smart effort to record his fourth win of the campaign over a mile and a half at this course last month. The distance he put between himself and the remainder on that occasion marked him down as a pattern-class performer, so he is well worth his place in listed company, and shapes as though he'll stay this longer trip.

NEXT BEST: Progressive Bonneval the one to concentrate on again

Bonneval - 13:55 Ascot

Bonneval has really found his feet of late following a string of unlucky defeats earlier in the year, winning with a fair bit in hand at Newcastle in July and impressing with the manner in which he travelled when dead-heating back at that course last time. He looked the likely winner a furlong from home on that occasion, but was perhaps in front on his own for too long. Expect him to be held on to for longer here and he looks the one to beat on these terms.

EACH WAY: Top Secret offers value in the final race

Top Secret - 16:50 Ascot

Top Secret made it two wins from two starts over this course and distance when making all last time and remains a handicapper to be positive about. He was given a good tactical ride by this jockey on that occasion and probably had more in hand than it seemed. He is likely to be seen to better effect now back in a bigger field and he can offer some value against the likely short-priced favourite Sunray Major.