ASCOT HORSE RACING - FRIDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2017.

FESTIVAL OF FOOD AND WINE RACING WEEKEND
FRIDAY 8TH - SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER

A two day celebration of food, wine and good quality Flat racing featuring the £100,000 Appletiser Handicap Stakes on the Saturday. In between racing, racegoers can enjoy a cooking demonstration from a well-known celebrity chef and numerous food and wine stalls showcasing gastronomic delights from around the world.

We will be looking at the card for FRIDAY as we're off work for the day and what better time to be had than at Ascot on a cold and wet September afternoon. We've an eight race card now that will begin at 1:30 with the first division of a 6f Novice Stakes for 2yo's. The feature race on the Friday card is a 1m handicap off at 5:00 and this card is very much the prelude to Saturday with no Group races on offer but it'll still be a day out. 

Here's a link to the days racecard;
https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/racecards/2017-09-08

There is a bit of a chill in the air and possible forecast for a drop of rain in the afternoon however we will have a fun day out come what may, it's always better than being at work. 

Here are my selections for this meeting;

1:30 - 6f Novice Stakes (Div One) (2yo) 
Opening races are for 2yo only and we kick off with a Novices contest with a field of 9 runners are declared for this race where it has been divided into two. 

Very open event, this will be a lot easier than the Goodwood race that LADY DANCEALOT [2nd 5/2] took on with the ease in going from Soft to Good also in her favour. Placed in a Newbury maiden too and the experience should do her good. Priced about 8/1 which makes her a decent win/place prospect -- price collapsed with a fancied non runner and market support.

2:05 - 6f Novice Stakes (Div Two) (2yo) 
The second division of our opening Novice Race which also has the field of 9 declared runners. Less form on display in this division as five of the field are on debut. 

Newcomer UNITED KINGDOM [7th 12/1] takes his chance here rather than a race tomorrow for Paul Cole, and together with another unraced filly in SOCIETY LILLY [6th 5/2] are our pair against the field here.

2:40 - 7f Maiden (2yo)
Our next race is a maiden, again for 2yo only, where again we've nine declared runners and again only four have seen a racecourse before now. John Gosden saddles MAIN STREET [Non Runner] who should be better for his Newmarket experience after a run in June and now has Frankie Dettori up top. 

Of the newcomers Roger Charlton introduces a Frankel colt in the shape of HERCULEAN [WON 11/10] and has booked Ryan Moore so market support ought to be significant here. 


3:15 - 1m Classified Stakes
Just the eight show up for the classified stakes where the 3yo last time out winners FIRE BRIGADE [2nd 15/8] and MUSAWAAT [5th 7/1] might be the pair to follow. Not a race I'd want to be too involved with most of the field off level weights yet both Medieval and Dr Julius No should be giving these all few pounds if it were a handicap so they do seem well in today but will stick with the two selections unless either are non runners in which case treat the other two as reserves.


3:50 - 1m 3f 211y Maiden (3yo)
A very select field for the maiden event, just the five declared and while REVERAND JACOBS [LAY] 😞will probably go off fav based on his last three runners up efforts it's clear that he's beatable and that will be our LAY bet of the meeting. 

We back Frankie here when in doubt and a small field and therefore we hope he can get a tune out of UPTOWN FUNK. 

4:25 - 1m 3f 211y Victoria Racing Club Handicap
Tricky handicap with some interesting 3yo taking on older horses, as such they receive a generous weight for age allowance. ROAR [3rd 9/1] is lightly raced and has won at Beverley and Newmarket therefore could be interesting here off this lowly weight, along with ALQAMAR [2nd 10/11] who took his chance at the Royal meeting having previously won a similar handicap to this at York. 

5:00 - 1m Handicap (Straight course)
A mile down the straight course now and we'll see which side of the track they favour though with a field of 12 there should be few traffic issues.

Will have the pair of EAGLE CREEK [7th 8/1] and KNIGHT OWL [Non Runner] against the field, low draw should be ok and look generously priced in the market at this early overnight declaration stage. 


5:30 - 6f Handicap
Rounding off the meeting with a tricky 6f sprint handicap, the largest field of 17 here today and there's plenty in with a shout as you would expect. Looking at NORTH CREEK [6th 12/1] first who although coming back in trip has won off a mark much higher in the past. 

OUTER SPACE might have to go back to the AW before he can find winning form again so instead we will have a look at HARWOODS VOLANTE [8th 12/1] back on a mark where he's regularly placed including here and at 20/1 will be interesting us in the place market at least.

Good luck
Results will appear here during Friday evening, but only if I'm sober enough to update things then of course.