Our first bet comes in the opener, the Group 3 Princess Margaret over six furlongs at 14:05. A record of one-from-three wouldn't tell you this, but David Brown's Wind Fire has been rapidly progressive so far, her most recent start an excellent third in the Norfolk Stakes at the Royal meeting here. She actually shaped better than the result in that race, travelling powerfully before being forced to switch and ultimately finishing with running left. Though evidently not lacking in speed over the minimum trip, Wind Fire is bred to get six furlongs this year at least, so we have few worries in terms of trip and she looks well up to landing this lower-grade race against her own sex.
Just the 29 go to post for the Betfair International Stakes at 15:15, but there looks to be one in particular who could have some real leverage against the handicapper. Under different circumstances, Ashaadd could easily be four from four in handicaps (all of them strong) this year, and even though he's favourite for a race like this that is a powerful argument. His most recent success came at Haydock three weeks ago and for which he carries a mere 3 lb penalty here. The three clear that day were Ashaadd, the well-treated Mabait and the similarly-unexposed Shebebi, the last-named since finishing a creditable fourth in a good race at Newmarket. A well-run seven furlongs ought to suit Ashaadd ideally, and you can bet that he's not stopped progressing yet. In fact, you're implored to.
Finally, we tackle the big race of the day, the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at 15:50. If you've been paying attention this week, you'll know that we at Timeform have been all about Cirrus des Aigles, even before such wretched misfortune befell St Nicholas Abbey. Our argument for the French champion is clear: he's 11 lb clear on our ratings and has the form at the right courses, and over the right distances, to prove he's a cut above his rivals today. The fact he's around 2.68/5 and not 1.68/13 is because of a lacklustre reappearance, which is something he's been prone to throughout his now-lengthy career. Cirrus des Aigles has won the Champion Stakes here and ruffled Frankel's feathers more than anyone else managed in the same race last year; who else in this King George field could you possibly see doing that?
Timeform UK SmartPlays:
All at Ascot
Back Wind Fire in the 14:05
Back Ashaadd in the 15:15
Back Cirrus des Aigles in the 15:50
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