Leading Light - Ascot 13:45
The Long Distance Cup (13:45) is arguably the one race in which none of the would-be champions are missing; certainly Estimate and Leading Light would be very high on anyone's list of the year's best stayers. Forgotten Rules has forced himself between the two in the betting and it's true that he has the potential to be very smart. That might be enough to shove him past Estimate, though Leading Light will be a different matter.
Horses good enough to win a St Leger usually stand out among older stayers and that's exactly the sort of stature Leading Light has. He made hard work of winning his first Gold Cup in June, but then again he makes hard work of everything. Don't be fooled; he's very much a high-class performer. A defeat last time can be explained away by tactics and any halfway decent ride should see Leading Light secure a third big win at Ascot.
Custom Cut each-way - Ascot 15:30
There's a Kingman-sized gap atop the milers' podium and many expect Night of Thunder, the only horse Kingman ever lost to, to fill it. Night of Thunder is the likeliest winner but that doesn't necessarily make him a bet at around 4.03/1.
Custom Cut is probably more of a minor-medal candidate rather than one going for gold. Still, tactics could easily play a pivotal role in the QEII and it's fancied that Custom Cut could be the one to benefit. He's a game front-runner with plenty of form on bad ground if you look back to his Irish days. He's been improving all summer and has truly earned this shot against the best. If they let Custom Cut get away at all, few in this field will have it in them to rein him in. Therefore he's a sound option, so long as we're willing to bet each-way.
Cornrow - Ascot 16:45
You could make a case for the Balmoral Handicap being more suitable for Future Champions Day. There are a good few among the 28 runners that could easily be Group-race performers next year. Cornrow is one of them. He was sent off favourite for the Cambridgeshire last time, but nine furlongs and a lack of a hood saw him come a cropper, pulling too hard and fading but not before he'd lead his group (which happened to be on the unfavoured side).
Cornrow instantly went in many notebooks for the Lincoln, though John Gosden has wisely opted for this more valuable prize. He's also reached for the hood again; another wise move. Cornrow's promise prior to the Cambridgeshire really shouldn't be forgotten and, on those lines, he should just about be favourite for this.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Ascot
Back Leading Light in the 13:45
Back Custom Cut win and place in the 15:30
Back Cornrow in the 16:45
