The Listed Belgravia Stakes headlines Saturday’s nine-race program at Ascot.
I’ve run the rule over every galloper, and you can find my thoughts and 2023 Belgravia Stakes Day Tips below.
Capricorn Man returned a winner here at Ascot a fortnight ago and he looks well placed to make it two in a row on Saturday.
The Maschino gelding returned some nice efforts last time in, but I thought that his fresh run following nearly a year off hinted at improvement.
He strips fitter and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
There is virtually no form to study ahead of this race and many debutants are prominent in betting for it.
I am happy just to sit back and watch, with a view towards something later in the season.
Triple Jay has finished second at each of two starts back from a break and is ready to win on Belgravia Stakes Day.
Triple Jay won two of four starts last time in, finding form around some credible opposition, and he has only been denied by a neck both starts, this time in.
Fitter third-up and under Willie Pike, he is my best bet on the program.
Diamond Scene returned a winner here at Ascot last week, and I think he can make it two in a row on Saturday.
The So You Think gelding has only made six appearances at the races since debuting, but he’s won two of those, and he wasn’t disgraced in black type company at the end of his last prep.
With natural improvement, something like this does look the next logical target for him.
This looks to be one of the more open races on the program with a few winning chances engaged, but Strike Now is going to be the one for me.
Strike Now has won two his last three starts, highlighted by his effort over 1800m at this track last week.
He’s hard fit, I like that he’s on the short back up and a repeat of that last effort would see him into the finish again.
Magnificent Andy is chasing a hat-trick when he takes his place at Ascot on Saturday, and it looks to be a really nice opportunity for him again.
Magnificent Andy ended his last prep with consecutive wins over 1400m here at Ascot, and after returning to only just miss in 72 company at Belmont in August, has since won consecutive races, including a Listed sprint at Kalgoorlie last time.
He has been charged with carrying topweight, but he’s hard fit and does look to be the class engaged.
Cosmic Crusader has been great since debuting, and he can record another win on Belgravia Stakes Day.
The Maurice gelding stamped himself as one to watch by flashing late to get there on debut back in July, and after finishing midfield, was beaten two lengths at Belmont when returning from a break, he proved far too good for them here, last time out.
I can’t foresee the small drop in trip proving to be a problem for him, while he gets into the race well under the conditions.
This is a good an open edition of the Belgravia Stakes with several winning chances engaged, including Ripcord.
Ripcord is yet to miss placing in four career starts, and after returning to action to finish second behind Generosity last month, he was only just denied in a featured sprint a fortnight ago.
Fitter third-up, getting out to the 1200m and under Pike, I thought the $6.50 about him in Belgravia Stakes betting at publish was a touch of overs.
It could be yet another big day for the cerise silks of Bob Peters at Ascot on Saturday, and I’m pretty keen on Sentimental Hero in the last as well!
Sentimental Hero returned a winner over 1200m at Belmont last month, and he was last seen filling the minors behind the likes of Pompey.
Third-up at the mile looks ideal for him.