Megan Nicholls Racing Tips: BetMGM Autumn Weekend at Ascot Day 2 & more
Ascot 13.15 – BetMGM British EBF October Stakes (Listed Race)
I’m going with Midnight Tango (17/2), who’s up in distance back at the track she seems to perform best at.
She deserves another go at this level. She has run up at the very top level this season – and found herself outclassed – but I think she can easily be a black-type performer.
This is an open race and the extra distance may well help Midnight Tango. She’s a nice, sensible price and I wouldn't be surprised if that comes in on race day.
Megan’s Tip: Midnight Tango WIN
Newmarket 13.35 – BetMGM Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1)
Another odds-on favourite, Blue Bolt (9/20 fav) looks hard to beat.
She’s a three-time Group 1 winner this season, having won all of her starts.
Blue Bolt is so straightforward and has been thriving. The queen of the mile this season, this looks like another opportunity for her to get another Group 1 title.
She seems versatile in terms of track and ground. Obviously a winner earlier in the year on the July Course, she shouldn’t have an issue switching over to the Rowley Mile.
She was second in this race last year but is an improved filly this season.
Megan’s Tip: Blue Bolt WIN
Ascot 13.50 – BetMGM Rous Stakes (Listed Race)
I’m going to go with Regional (15/2) given he comes back down to a stiff five furlongs, which is ideal.
A talented horse who’s slightly lost his way, he’s actually run well in some decent fields this season.
That suggests there is still some of that old ability there. This is also probably one of the weaker lineups he’s come up against this season.
I’m still going to stick with him. I think there is still fire in the belly ahead of a race that should suit – and I think he can put up a big performance.
Megan’s Tip: Regional WIN
Ascot 14.25 – BetMGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3)
The Cumberland Lodge looks like it’s going to go the way of William Haggas but I’m going to go with the old legend in Al Aasy (11/4), purely on the ground.
Tenability (7/4 fav) would be happier with more cut in the ground and has generally performed best on good to soft and soft, whereas Al Aasy likes the top of the ground.
He will enjoy conditions at Ascot on Saturday and hopefully there will be enough pace on for the race to set up in the way that he likes.
Al Aasy is a strong-travelling horse who will be produced late. He’s been beautifully managed this season and very much targeted for certain races.
I think he gets his conditions nicely here at Ascot.
Megan’s Tip: Al Aasy WIN
Ascot 15.00 – John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (Group 3)
I think Division (85/40 fav) deserves to get his luck. He’s been running extremely well all season without quite getting there.
He tends to be a little bit slow out of the gates but finishes well and does his best work late on. He ran a huge race at Group 1 level last time in the Maurice de Gheest when only narrowly beaten.
This looks like a good opportunity for him. If the setup is there, they go hard enough up in front and he can come through horses with a smooth passage, then there’s no doubt in my mind he’s the one with the most ability here.
So this is a race for Division to lose more than anything, just because of the way that he’s ridden and tactically he’s not the easiest to come up against.
He often can feel like a ‘nearly horse’ but I do think that it’s in there and we should respect him because there’s certainly more to come.
Megan’s Tip: Division WIN
Ascot 15.35 – BetMGM Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap)
Moonfall (5/1) comes back down in distance for this – he’s had a great season in handicaps and has shown to be very consistent.
He’s mainly been running over the mile but the drop back down to a stiff seven is no problem. He can travel well and has been unlucky to be caught late on a couple of occasions recently.
My each-way selection is Desert Shadow (11/1). If he can settle, I think that there’s more to come. He’s a lightly raced horse trained by Saeed bin Suroor and clearly has a high level of ability. But he must relax; that’s the key for him.
In a big field like this where they tend to go at a strong pace, that should suit him and he has an each-way chance.
Megan’s Tip: Moonfall WIN / Desert Shadow E/W
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
