Flag has the look of a true champion
1.25 ASCOT – FLAG OF HONOUR has improved for the step up to a mile and six and comes here on the back of success in the Irish St Leger. There should be more to come now that he steps up to two miles.
Stradivarius finished third to Order Of St George and Torcedor 12 months ago. His record since is perfect, winning two Group Ones and two Group Twos. Flag Of Honour will have to be at his best to lower his colours.
2.00 ASCOT – Most of these sprinters have bumped into each other over the season with differing results.
HARRY ANGEL (nap) will be a major player if back to his very best but he was disappointing on his latest start at Haydock.
Last year’s winner, Librisa Breeze has hardly set the world alight since his success 12 months ago but he has a good record at this venue with three victories from seven outings.
2.40 ASCOT – LAH TI DAR drops down in trip after her second in the St Leger. She has only won two Listed races and a maiden but she gets the nod.
Kitesurf seems to have hit form at the right time and comes here on a hat-trick after victories at Deauville and in a Group One at Longchamp where she clocked a fast time.
Hydrangea was successful 12 months ago.
3.15 ASCOT – ROARING LION comes here after three victories over two furlongs further but has the speed and class to overcome the drop in trip. The ground would be a slight concern. Recoletos crucially handles soft ground and showed the right attitude when successful in the Prix du Moulin last month. 3.50 ASCOT – If CRACKSMAN repeats his brilliant performance of 12 months ago the rest may as well stay at home. If there are any cracks in the favourite then Crystal Ocean, who was second to Enable at Kempton, will find them. 4.30 ASCOT – Via Via and ARGENTELLO fought out the finish of a Newmarket handicap in August. Both are worth looking at, as they are drawn on opposite sides of the track. Flaming Spear ran away with a competitive Goodwood handicap. He then appeared to be given too much to do when fifth behind Raising Sand, who re-opposes on 6lb worse terms, here over seven furlongs. With Dean Ivory’s stable back in form, it is easy to see why Flaming Spear will go off favourite.