Royal Ascot date on cards for Magique

tips: Gosden’s lightly-raced charge can handle weights hike for impress victory

POUVOIR MAGIQUE will probably go off at skinny odds in the Lookers Handicap at Newcastle, but he is hard to oppose in what appears to be a Royal Ascot warm up.

John Gosden’s charge has been limited to just one start this term, but the form of that Newbury win looks pretty decent as he was chased home by Victoria Cup winner Ripp Orf.

Fourth-placed Zwayyan also turned in a good effort to finish second at Nottingham, making Pouvoir Magique’s 6lb hike in the handicap even more justifiable, particularly given the relative ease of his victory.

While he switches back to the allweather here, this Le Havre gelding won on the Tapeta at the back-end of last year and this race must surely be intended as another confidence boost before the Royal Hunt Cup in a couple of weeks’ time.

ALFIE SOLOMONS was a bit green on his debut at Newbury but can step forward for that run in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.

He tried to do it the hard way on his first attempt, but was not really geared up for a battle when push came to shove.

The experience should not be lost on him though and this looks like a slightly easier opportunity.

LIGHT OF JOY impressed when winning at Leicester on her return and can follow up in the Pin Point Recruitment Fillies’ Handicap.

David Lanigan’s charge counts Shiva and Light Shift among her relatives and she clearly has a bit of ability herself, albeit certainly not of their calibre.

DIAKALI is an interesting proposition as he turns his hand to fences in the netbet.co.uk Novices’ Chase at Fontwell.

Rated as high as 158 over hurdles when with Willie Mullins, Diakali is now in the care of Gary Moore and has had two unsuccessful starts over hurdles for his new team.

SELECTIONS

FONTWELL: 2.15 Ruby Russet, 2.45 Diakali, 3.15 Peculiar Places, 3.45 Innocent Girl, 4.15 Mister Serious, 4.45 Mason Dixon, 5.15 Little Jack.

NEWCASTLE: 6.15 Alfie Solomons, 6.45 Sanam, 7.15 Weather Front, 7.45 Light Of Joy, 8.15 POUVOIR MAGIQUE (NAP), 8.45 Grandad’s World.

DOUBLE: Pouvoir Magique and Alfie Solomons.