Megan Nicholls Racing Tips: BetMGM Autumn Weekend at Ascot Day 1
Ascot 14.25 – BetMGM EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (GBB Race)
Only a five-runner fillies’ novice here – it’s a Class 2, though, so hopefully we’ve got a couple of nice fillies on show.
I’ll be looking towards one that has got experience so I’m going with Pink Larkspur (SP), the daughter of Ghaiyyath, for John and Thady Gosden and Godolphin.
She ran well enough on her debut at Kempton behind the very smart Lex Victoria. Pink Larkspur was a little bit slow out of the stalls and was on the back foot but did make up some ground and ran on at the end, suggesting she would improve and be sharper for the run.
I think a stiffer seven furlongs will suit her. She will be a big improver and that experience may help on this occasion.
Megan’s Tip: Pink Larkspur WIN
Ascot 15.35 – BetMGM Noel Murless Stakes (Listed Race)
Infraad (4/6 fav) is the favourite in the feature race and deserves to be.
Yet to be out of the frame, he’s got a great record and is improving.
He showed his class last time at York in the Melrose when stepping up to this distance for the first time.
He stayed extremely well to pull clear of the field in what is usually a top-class handicap that produces multiple Group winners season upon season.
Infraad steps up in grade here, deserves his chance at black-type level and I think before long we’ll be seeing him up into graded company.
I cannot see him getting turned around here as, ultimately, he’s the class angle.
In the official ratings, Infraad is joint at the top and he’s well in at the weights at 9st 3lbs because of the Listed title, meaning that he should be far too good for this field.
Megan’s Tip: Infraad WIN
Ascot 16.10 – BetMGM Handicap
I’m going with First Legion (SP), a horse I remain faithful to.
I just think he’s talented. It hasn’t always gone his way but he was back to winning ways last time following a wind operation – that was over seven furlongs at Ascot.
He is absolutely fine back down to the six. He’s got plenty of speed and is a strong-travelling horse.
First Legion gets ridden with a bit of cover, so he does require a bit of luck, but this is the type of race that could set up well for him.
He hasn’t had as much racing as a few of these in the field this season – and obviously had a small break once he had that operation – so he’s been nicely minded.
He’s ultimately a pretty consistent horse considering he’s a sprinter often running in these big-field handicaps.
His confidence will be up, so I’m sticking with First Legion.
Megan’s Tip: First Legion WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
