Saturday Racing Tips: Timeform's three to back on British Champions Day

Ascot, 13:30: Longer trip bound to suit Highwayman

9 (2)

Highwayman (Fr)

• J: D. B. McMonagle
• T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland
• F: 9008111

• SBK 11/4
• EXC 4

With last year's winner Trawlerman retired and Scandinavia finished for the season, the Long Distance Cup can go to Joseph O'Brien's highly progressive three-year-old Highwayman.

He has improved out of all recognition over longer trips lately and had his finest hour when completing a hat-trick in last month's St Leger, staying on strongly to give Saffie Osborne an historic win.

Dylan Browne McMonagle is back on board now and, heading the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings with further improvement to come, Highwayman looks sure to appreciate the further step up in trip to two miles.

Ascot, 15:20: More Thunder the value in QE II

3 (4)

More Thunder (Ire)

• J: Tom Marquand
• T: William Haggas
• F: 114-22451

• SBK 17/2
• EXC 11

There's no stand-out miler in this year's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes where three-year-olds Gstaad and Talk of New York are likely to be popular picks, but the value could be with older horse More Thunder.

He belatedly got off the mark for the year in the Park Stakes at Doncaster last time when dropped back to seven furlongs, coming from well off the pace as usual and earning the 'Horse In Focus' flag.

A well-run race on a straight track is key to him and his seconds in the Lockinge and then over course and distance in the Queen Anne on his first two starts this year show that he's well up to making an impact here.

Ascot, 16:35: Scoville still looks well treated

15 (23)

Scoville

• J: Tom Marquand
• T: William Haggas
• F: 104-87031

• SBK 7/2
• EXC 5.4

More Thunder's 'Hot Trainer' William Haggas can end the card with a win in the Balmoral Handicap where he fields three runners, including last year's winner Crown of Oaks.

However, preference is for stablemate Scoville who was another winner for his yard at the St Leger meeting where he too earned the 'Horse In Focus' flag, and a 4 lb rise for that ready success could prove lenient.

Scoville had shaped much better than the bare result when forcing the pace in the Hunt Cup over course and distance at the Royal meeting, but hold-up tactics worked a treat last time and can do so again.

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