A Proper Friday at the Home of Racing

My father used to say that any day at Ascot was a good day, regardless of what was running. He wasn't wrong, of course — there's something about the place that lifts the spirit the moment you walk through the gates. But I'd be lying if I said all cards were created equal. Today's, though, is genuinely worth getting excited about. Six races, a Listed contest at the top of the bill, and the goingstick reading 8 on the straight — Good to Firm, and proper summer ground at that. The horses who love to hear their hooves rattle on a sun-baked July track are going to be in their element this afternoon.

If you haven't already had a look, pull up the full Ascot racecard and settle in. There's plenty to get stuck into across all six races, and I'll do my best to guide you through the ones that matter most.

The Feature Race: Pat Eddery Stakes (14:55, Listed, 7f)

Named after one of the true greats of the saddle — a man who made race-riding look as natural as breathing — the Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes is a Listed contest for two-year-olds over seven furlongs, and it's the race of the day without question. At £65,000 in prize money, it attracts a proper field of ten, and there are some fascinating storylines running through it.

The one I keep coming back to is Silver Dominion (rated 98, Hector Crouch / Oliver Cole). Top-rated in the field alongside Alfred Wallace on 98, Silver Dominion has the profile of a horse who's done everything asked of him so far and is ready for this step up in class. Hector Crouch has been in fine form this summer and he's the sort of jockey who rides with his head as much as his hands — exactly what you want in a seven-furlong Listed race where tactics matter.

The main danger, and I suspect the one most of you will be backing, is Alfred Wallace (rated 97, Oisin Murphy / Ed Walker). The combination of Oisin Murphy and Ed Walker is one of the most reliable in the business, and Alfred Wallace has course form to go with his rating — that [D] flag next to his name tells you he's already shown he can handle this track. On Good to Firm ground, a horse who's already won here is a serious proposition. Don't dismiss him.

Further down the market, keep an eye on Time For The Moon (rated 89, Billy Loughnane / Charlie Johnston). He's been placed at this level before and course and distance form gives him every chance of running into the money, even if winning might be a stretch against the top two.

The Staying Test: Brown Jack Handicap (15:30, 1m 7f 209y)

Named after the legendary stayer who won the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot six times in a row — six times, I still can't quite believe it — the Brown Jack Handicap is a small but perfectly formed field of four over an extended mile and seven furlongs. The distance alone will sort them out.

Synergism (rated 92, James Doyle / Sir Mark Prescott) heads the weights and, frankly, when Sir Mark Prescott sends one to Ascot in a staying handicap, you pay attention. The man is a genius at placing horses, and Doyle in the saddle is never a bad thing. He has course and distance form, which at this trip is worth its weight in gold on ground this quick.

Fireblade (rated 90, Callum Rodriguez / Dylan Cunha) carries both the [C] and [D] flags — course and distance winner — and that's the most compelling piece of form in the race. On ground as quick as this, proven stamina and familiarity with the track could be the decisive factors. Don't let the rating fool you; this horse knows exactly what's being asked of him here.

The Handicaps: Plenty of Value to Unearth

The Sodexo Live! Handicap at 16:05 over a mile and three furlongs is a cracking puzzle of a race. French Duke and Al Azd both sit top of the weights on 100, but it's the three-year-old Al Azd (Ray Dawson / Roger Varian) who intrigues me most. Three-year-olds get a weight allowance against their elders at this time of year, and Varian's horses tend to be spot-on when they turn up in summer handicaps. He has course form too. The ground should suit him well.

In the Chapel Down Handicap at 16:40 over seven furlongs, the field of thirteen makes this the trickiest race of the day to unpick. Mr Writer (rated 82, Daniel Muscutt / James Fanshawe) catches the eye as the top-rated three-year-old in the field, with course form to boot. Muscutt is quietly having a very solid season and Fanshawe rarely runs a horse without a serious chance. The seven furlongs on fast ground should bring out the best in him.

The card closes with the Sodexo Live! Fillies' Handicap at 17:12 over five furlongs. Killavia (rated 81, Oisin Murphy / Rod Millman) is the one I'd side with — top-rated, course form, and Murphy booked. On fast ground over five furlongs, you want a horse who can get out of the stalls quickly and bowl along. Killavia fits that bill.

The Opener: Fillies' Novice Stakes (14:20, 6f)

Before all of that, we kick off at 14:20 with the Sports4Causes October Club EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes, and this is where the next generation begins to show its hand. Two-year-old fillies over six furlongs — unraced or lightly raced, most of them — and the form book is of limited use. What you're really watching is the future.

Sweetwonderfulyou (Tom Marquand / William Haggas) is the one I'd be most interested in. Haggas doesn't send two-year-olds to Ascot on a whim, and Marquand is as good a judge of a young horse as there is. Sorrengail (Billy Loughnane / Charlie Appleby) is the Godolphin runner and they always deserve respect at this track. Finley Marsh takes the ride on Perfect Hope for Tom Ward — a combination worth noting if you fancy an each-way flutter at a bigger price. Pat Dobbs aboard Parvenue Star for Richard Hannon is another worth a second look; Hannon fillies at Ascot in the summer have a habit of running well.

Roger's Ones to Watch — Friday at Ascot

  • Best Bet: Silver Dominion (14:55) — Top-rated, classy handler, Hector Crouch in the saddle. The Pat Eddery is his for the taking.
  • Each-Way Pick: Alfred Wallace (14:55) — Course form and Oisin Murphy. If Silver Dominion gets beaten, it'll be by this one.
  • Staying Fancy: Fireblade (15:30) — Course and distance winner, proven at this trip on fast ground. Hard to leave out.
  • Handicap Hope: Al Azd (16:05) — Three-year-old allowance, Roger Varian in his prime, course form. Each-way at least.
  • Closer to Watch: Killavia (17:12) — Murphy booked, top-rated, five-furlong specialist on quick ground. A nice way to end the day.

It's a fine Friday card, and the Good to Firm ground means we should get proper racing — horses running on their merits, no excuses about the going. Get yourself settled with a cup of tea (or something stronger, I won't judge), and enjoy every minute of it. Good luck to all of you.