Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Ascot & York Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Ascot 1.45 – Princess Margaret Japan Cup Stakes
Dark Issue (5/2) ran very well at the Royal Meeting and is proven at this distance – plus she’s a horse Richard Hannon thinks plenty of and holds her in pretty high regard.
She’s the sharper type in comparison to Aperoll, his winner on Thursday night at Sandown. Dark Issue is very much a sprinter but he’s got a couple of nice fillies on his hands this season.
And then Nuit d’Eclair (12/1) as my each-way selection, who was ahead of Topaz on debut at Newbury. It was a really nice start and that form has been boosted with Topaz winning at Salisbury since.
I think she is a pretty talented filly, quite a big price but could be the each-way option here.
Megan’s Tip: Dark Issue WIN & Nuit d’Eclair E/W
Ascot 2.20 – Valiant Stakes
Touleen (8/11 fav) should take all the beating here.
She was unlucky behind Precise in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. Plenty of people said she should’ve won on the occasion so this looks like a nice opportunity for her.
If you’re looking at a forecast then think about Skydance (17/2), who beat Thundering On in at Leopardstown back in April.
We haven’t seen her since then but I don’t think she’d be coming all the way over here for this level of race if she wasn’t ready.
Skydance to follow Touleen home would be a nice forecast.
Megan’s Tip: Touleen 1st, Skydance 2nd (forecast)
York 2.35 – York Stakes
Royal Champion (2/1 jt fav) had a successful international campaign for Karl Burke.
I actually don’t think he disgraced himself behind Romantic Warrior when last seen in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin and he’s had a bit of a break since.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him target international group races once again but I think it suits him here at York and he’ll be fit, I have no doubt.
Plus, Karl’s horses have been in good form throughout the year.
An older horse with a bit of experience is no harm in this type of race and I was actually a little bit surprised that he wasn’t the early favourite.
I think that he will come in for a bit more support and I just think that Karl’s really managed to get the best out of this horse – he was much improved when winning in both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
He’s a pretty high-class horse who can win on his return.
Megan’s Tip: Royal Champion WIN
Ascot 2.55 – Moet & Chandon International Handicap
I’m going with Extremely Zayn (7/4 fav), who is unbeaten and looks a group horse in handicap company.
He absolutely bolted up at York and is clearly a horse that’s still on the up with more to come after hearing plenty of positive chat about him from pretty early on.
I imagine racing at Ascot has been a bit of a plan for a while now with plenty of good prize money on offer once again – I don’t think he’ll be running in handicaps for too much longer.
Each way I’m looking at Back In Black (13/2), who I actually put up in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket where he ran well once again.
He’s just a solid performer and I think the seven furlongs is his trip. He looks likely to be in the frame again.
At 13/2, he’s a solid each-way option alongside plenty of runners in a big field.
Megan’s Tip: Extremely Zayn WIN & Back In Black E/W
Ascot 3.35 – King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes
I’m going a little bit against the odds here because I’m going with Minnie Hauk (6/1), who isn’t the selection of Ryan Moore but I think stepping up in trip is the key to her here.
She’s an out-and-out stayer and I imagine this is en route back to the Arc.
She ran well behind Ombudsman at the Royal Meeting – I don’t think she did an awful lot wrong at a trip that was too sharp for her. She just got done for speed but stayed on nicely so I think up in trip a couple of furlongs means she’s the value here.
Calandagan (13/8 fav) has had a couple of hard races and he’s not looked at his absolute best so far this season and he really had to battle to get his head back out in front the last time.
I think Minnie Hauk is still a real work in progress this year, with the autumn campaign the most important one, but I think she is going to take the beating.
Megan’s Tip: Minnie Hauk WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
