Ascot
The two day meeting starts at Ascot today and although we are in the height of summer, the forecast for the day is absolutely dreadful.
The highlight of the meeting is the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday in which Golden Horn is again a red hot favourite. He has however drifted slightly because of the forecast rain and is currently best priced 8/13.
16:05 John Guest Handicap
Mark Johnstone has won two out the past three renewals of this ten furlong handicap and he runs Master of Finance here. He was very disappointing less than two weeks ago in the Hunt Cup at York, however he did run well of his current mark at Epsom prior to that. Any rain that falls will be a plus.
Field of Fame is heading in the right direction after a good second place in a nice race at Windsor last time out. A winner on heavy ground this is another horse that certainly won't be inconvenienced by the rain.
Great Park for Noel Meade has won three times over distances of up to one mile. He does shape as though the extra two furlongs here will suit and can go close if replicating his very close second to Western Reserve at Newmarket recently.
Exosphere for Sir Michael Stoute is the horse that excites me in this field. He only just got home to win a maiden when heavily odds on but won extremely nicely in a good race at Doncaster in June and having only run three times is open to any amount of improvement. This is a competitive enough race but he is weighted to win and I expect a bold showing and can give Pat Smullen a winner from his only ride of the day here.
Today's Selection
16:05 Ascot Exosphere - 3 points @ 2/1