Weekend Betting Tips: Leading Light poised for success in Ascot

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the week's races

SATURDAY

ASCOT

1-45 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP (GROUP 2) – 2 MILES

Leading Light is a multiple Group One winning individual and sets the standard in this marathon contest. He was put firmly in his place by Brown Panther when contesting the Irish St Leger most recently, but he did still manage to see off the remainder of his rivals when finishing a distant runner up. Leading Light is undefeated on two previous races at this track and a return to two miles will certainly suit. Joseph O’ Brien is once again on board and they should be more than capable of making their presence felt.

Estimate got to within a neck of the selection in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and this softer ground should play very much to her strengths. She too is a previous course and distance winner and despite a hectic year she looks the biggest threat to the selection.

Ryan Moore gave her an excellent ride at Doncaster last time and connections will fancy their chances at reversing recent form. Dermot Weld landed this race with Rite Of Passage a couple of years ago and he is trying again with the lightly raced Forgotten Rules. He comes here undefeated and won over this trip on his racecourse debut. This is his toughest opposition to date but he could well be anything and he too commands respect. Leading Light has won on testing ground before and his class can see him home in front here.

2-20 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION SPRINT STAKES (GROUP 2) – 6 FURLONGS

Maarek and his connections will have loved every inch of rain that has fallen at Ascot this week and now with conditions tilted firmly in their favour he can go close to repeating his win of two years ago this afternoon. Jamie Spencer was on board on that occasion and it is notable that trainer Evanna McCutcheon has asked the Irishman to ride for the first time since that memorable victory back in 2012.

G Force returned to form with a vengeance when winning the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock last month and with the David O’Meara team in red hot form he has to be respected here. This step up to six furlongs seemed to conjure further improvement from the three year old and given that he saw off many of these rivals last time he looks destined to run a big race.

Gordon Lord Byron has proven himself at the highest level in the past and has run well given underfoot conditions before. He has been a model of consistency throughout the year and should be right in the mix once again. Jack Dexter has not been the same horse this year and Tropics would prefer better ground. Maarek has taken plenty of time to get going this year but everything looks in place for him to be seen at his best today and he can go well.

2-55 QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPION FILLIES & MARES STAKES (GROUP 1) – 1 M 4 F

Albasharah was a convincing winner at Newmarket last week and she asserted her authority over her rivals from some way out. She won by an eased down three lengths suggesting that she was well worth a rise in grade. Freddie Tylicki keeps the ride on the five year old, who has progressed with each run this season. She won on a rain softened ground when she made her debut as a three year old at Nottingham a couple of seasons ago and now that she is at peak fitness she has to be high on the shortlist.

Hadaatha beat the selection last month in a listed contest at Yarmouth. She then went on to contest a Group One race in France and lost out by only the narrowest of margins. There ought to be nothing between her and Albasharah today and she is likely to prove the biggest threat.

Chicquita is having only her third start for Ballydoyle this afternoon and connections will be hoping she can come right back to her best against her own sex. She had a tough race in the Arc though and this may just prove a step too far. Seal Of Approval won this race last year and she has not looked in love with the game since and she is best avoided. Albasharah ought to give another good account and can go well for a very much in form Saeed Bin Suroor.

CHELTENHAM

4-25 VANILLA PHOTOBOOKS HANDICAP HURDLE – 2 M 5 F

Act Alone was a progressive sort for Nicky Henderson last season and he shed his maiden status with the minimum of fuss at Doncaster. He won by no fewer than fourteen lengths on that occasion and now that he steps into handicaps for the first time he looks a more than interesting proposition. He already has the beating of Jimmy The Jetplane based on their previous meeting at Market Rasen and he can confirm that form.

Barry Geraghty rides this track well and he has been placed on Nicky Henderson’s five year old on both previous occasions that he has partnered him. This looks to be his trip for the time being and a big run is expected.

Ulzana’s Raid is a winner of three of his five races and has won over as far as three miles at Ayr. As a result he has to carry top-weight here but with stamina in abundance he is capable of making his presence known. Alan King and Wayne Hutchinson have a decent strike rate when combining and they head the list of dangers.

Gordon Elliott has his string in excellent shape this season and Clara McCloud comes here with fitness on her side. This is her first trip to Prestbury Park and she too has strong place claims. Act Alone is far from exposed and hails from a yard that is overflowing with talent. He should have more to come and can go onto better things after this.