We kick off proceedings with a listed contest over six furlongs from Ascot (14:35) in which Danehill Revival looks to have an excellent chance to make it two wins from two career starts. She was an impressive winner on her debut at Pontefract a fortnight ago, hitting the front early on and staying there to register what was a facile success on her racecourse debut. It's also worth noting that plenty of horses struggled in the conditions that day and she didn't look like stopping, so any cut in the ground this afternoon will pose no problems for her. She rates as an exciting prospect for the season and should take this on her way to bigger and better things, although Expert is respected if he's able to build on his effort at Newmarket last time.
We remain at the Berkshire track for the feature contest of the day, the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes over two-miles (15:45) in which Harris Tweed looks the one to keep on side. William Haggas's smart front-runner won a competitive handicap and listed race over the same C&D at Goodwood last summer before being narrowly denied in the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day over today's C&D in October. He looks to have conditions in his favour with some cut in the ground looking extremely likely, and if familiar front-running tactics are employed he will be an extremely tough nut to crack. Simenon clearly merits respect as a runner-up in last year's Ascot Gold Cup and if he is at the peak of his powers it should be an enthralling contest.
We head north to Pontefract for our final bet of the day, which comes in the 10-furlong fillies' handicap (15:55) and the vote goes to Tender Emotion. The form of her Kempton victory last summer has worked out particularly well and she followed up in good style over a mile here in September. Her pedigree suggests she'll improve for the step up in trip and it would be no surprise to see her prove a good deal better than her current mark of 87. She clearly likes the course and although Saltwater Creek made a winning return and has to be respected, the Godolphin filly may well have too much class for her rivals this afternoon and a bold hat-trick bid is expected.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Danehill Revival @ 4.3100/30 in the 14:35 at Ascot
Back Harris Tweed @ 3.3512/5 in the 15:45 at Ascot
Back Tender Emotion @ 2.0621/20 in the 15:55 at Pontefract
