Today's Racing Tips: 14/1 chance Lion fancied to roar once more at Ascot

Ascot, 14:55 - Back Amazing Journey @ 13/27.50

17 (4)

Amazing Journey (Ire)

• J: Saffie Osborne
• T: Jamie Osborne
• F: 1507-3121

• SBK 11/2
• EXC 8.4

With victories in 2019 for Raising Sand and Field Of Dream at 25/1 in 2012, trainer Jamie Osborne often targets this event and Amazing Journey looks to have a great chance of increasing his handler's fine record on the straight track at Ascot.

A smooth winner over six furlongs at today's venue last time, the son of Starspangledbanner has the ideal run style for this track and race as he is invariably ridden chilly before his explosive turn of foot it utilised.

If Saffie Osborne can harness his speed and execute another patient ride then Amazing Journey, who ought to stay a seventh furlong on breeding, could well exploit the fact he is still 5lb well in under his penalty.

Ascot, 14:55 - Back Great Acclaim each-way @ 14/115.00

3 (10)

Great Acclaim

• J: Charles Bishop
• T: Eve Johnson Houghton
• F: 240-03238

• SBK 12/1
• EXC 18.5

Great Acclaim failed to shine in the Bunbury Cup last time out, but he should be much more at home at his favoured venue and looks a tempting bet to at least reach the frame at double figure odds.

The selection's past record over course and distance in some of the flat season's toughest handicaps reads 2423 and his record over seven furlongs is phenomenally consistent 42112243238 with his recent showing at Newmarket a little below par by his standards.

All of Great Acclaim's six career wins have been achieved when he has returned to the track between seven and 20 days

Sam's Bet of the Day: Ascot, 15:35 - Back Kalpana each-way @ 10/111.00

6 (6)

Kalpana

• J: C. T. Keane
• T: Andrew Balding
• F: 322271-12

• SBK 9/1
• EXC 13

Today's fabulous feature has attracted equine stars from around the world with Calandagan back to defend his crown and renew rivalry with Japanese raider Masquerade Ball who ran him to a head in an epic renewal of the Japan Cup in Tokyo last November.

The latter has since chased home the imperious Romantic Warrior on his home patch at Sha Tin in the spring and the duo provide a formidable two-pronged attack on what appears a vintage renewal.

Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini will be hoping to muscle in on the action, no doubt aided by front-running lieutenants Action and Lambourn (was it really only a year ago that he was becoming a dual Derby winner?).

The home challenge is thin this year with Kalpana hoping to hand Andrew Balding his first victory in a race father Ian won with Mill Reef all those years ago.

She arguably should have won last time at Royal Ascot when she sauntered into the lead two furlongs out before being agonisingly collared on the line by Giavellotto in the Hardwick Stakes.

That performance took her Ascot stats to 31212 and two of her top three career performances on ratings have been achieved this term which suggests she is thriving at present.

The Study Of Man mare was kicked for home two furlongs out last year in this event and quickly put distance between herself and her field only to be worn down late on by Calandagan and I wonder if a slightly more conservative ride may see a different result as she appears to be getting a little quicker as she matures.

The 10/111.00 on offer looks more than a fair each-way play for a mare which loves the track and was only beaten a length in last year's renewal by one of the best Flat horses in the world.

Click here to read Katie Midwinter's runner-by-runner guide to the King George

Ascot, 16:45 - Back Urban Lion each-way @ 14/115.00

3 (4)

Urban Lion

• J: Tom Marquand
• T: Jack Channon
• F: 15309-100

• SBK 12/1
• EXC 14.5

The final pick of the day does require some forgiveness as Urban Lion has finished last of 24 at Newbury and beat home just two rivals in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.

However, there have been mitigating circumstances in those defeats as he ripped a shoe off at Newbury and was drawn on the wrong side of the track at today's venue last time.

That doesn't mean to say he can be totally excused those below par runs, but it was not long ago the selection was winning the Lincoln first time off the shelf and I think that freshness may be the key to him.

Urban Lion boasts a record when he is rested from the track beyond 38 days which reads 1121310 with the only duck egg that blow out when poorly drawn at Ascot last time.

It is worth recalling he beat the subsequent Hunt Cup winner, Rogue Diplomat, at Doncaster in March and the double figure odds about him bouncing back at a track where he has run well in the past look a little generous.

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