Get off the mark with Marsha

Sir Mark Prescott’s Marsha can lay down the law in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday

The Acclamation filly has done nothing but improve for her shrewd handler and rounded off last term with a cosy win in the Group 1 Prix De L’Abbeye at Chantilly.

The four-year-old warmed up nicely at Newmarket and will thrive on the blistering pace set by her market rival Lady Aurelia.

All the clues are pointing towards Godolphin’s G K Chesterton in the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday.

The four-year-old has been brought along nicely this term by the in-form Charlie Appleby, striking at HQ in May then completely dominating a valuable Epsom handicap.

I reckon we’re looking at a Group horse in the making and the son of Poet’s Voice will take some pegging back despite a 5lb hike for his most recent success.

Jessica Harrington landed this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and she can add the Ascot version to her tally with Torcedor.

The progressive stayer turned over hot favourite Order Of St George at Navan in April and this stoutly bred type can confirm that form over this marathon trip.

On Thursday, Aidan O’Brien can gain his fifth Queen’s Vase courtesy of the exciting Iron Mountain.

The War Front colt showed his rivals no mercy in a 1m 2f Curragh maiden last month and looks open to a fair bit of improvement over this extra four furlongs.

Nigel Tinkler’s Normandy Barriere rates a value bet at odds of around 25-1 for Saturday’s Wokingham.

The five-year-old has a fair record at Ascot and booked his place in the race with a decent course and distance victory last month.

The huge field should suit him and he can go very close granted a decent draw.