ASCOT SEPTEMBER WEEKEND MEETING - SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2020

Following a couple of fairly local tracks this weekend despite the lack of attendees they should have competitive contests. Sadly we know that all racing is behind closed doors with only few owners in attendance and strict protocols in place for the jockey's, trainers and other support staff. Hopefully soon enough we'll be able to return to experience the parade, atmosphere and general buzz of a winner. We've a seven race card to enjoy this afternoon, races sponsored by the drinks industry, as the Ascot site confirms this would have "Traditionally been a meeting where Ascot celebrates culinary creations and fine wines as the "Italia Festival Of Food And Wine Racing Weekend", the Live ITV races should be showing the 15:05, 15:40 and 16:15 contests.

Going: Good to soft
Today's Ascot race-card can be found here

12.45 pm The Stella Artois British EBF Novice Stakes
7f  [Class 4  11 runners]
The opening 2yo novice event has some famous silks on show and the race could be one for AKMAAM [WON 12/1] [Hamdam Al Maktoum] and INNOVATOR [Khalid Abdullah] to show their pedigree, but it's really a race to watch for notes.
Winner - (1) Akmaan @12/1 [M Dwyer]

13:20 The Moët Chandon British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes
1m [Class 4  7 runners]
The fillies turn now and only the seven in the field where the Godolphin runner LAST SUNSET is the only previous winner and then went second on here next outing at Kempton while of the newcomers MONSOON MOON rates highly as a filly out of Kingman, trained by John Gosden though it is difficult to discount anything here those will by my two against the field.
Winner - (4) Love Is You @3/1 [Jason Watson]

13:55 The Ascot Wine Club Handicap Stakes
5f  [Class 2  12 runners]
Handicaps take up the rest of the card now, the first over a minimum trip where TONE THE BARONE [WON 9/4f] can score again having won here on penultimate start before failing at Salisbury last time, his jockey today claiming 5lb should help the situation and available about 12/1 should be in the mix. Also putting in ROSE HIP the 5yo mare winning well here last time and though up in class again has put in good efforts elsewhere winning at Goodwood Bath and Nottingham.
Winner - (6) Tone The Barone @9/4f [Marco Ghiani]

14:30 The Betfred British EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap Stakes
1m  [Class 2  11 runners]
The fillies on show again for this handicap event where PRETTY IN GREY is in superb form winning her last four and might not have stopped yet and if the rain stays away should have her ground again. While MANAABIT [Non Runner] is a course and distance winner who takes another step forward and has battled well to win her last two. With Manaabit now a non runner we will replace with PERFECT INCH [2nd] trained by Charlie Fellows and ridden by Hayley Turner, together they have a great record and this track does seem to bring out some special rides for Hayley too, good price about 9/1.
Winner - (8) Dreamloper @9/2 [L Morris]

15:05 The Lavazza Handicap Stakes (3yo)
1m 3f 211y  [Class 2  11 runners]
While he's unlikely to reach the heights of his father and name sake MY FRANKEL did it well enough last time at Kempton and is entitled to go well in this 3yo handicap event for master trainer Sir Micheal Stoute. AL QAQAA was a bit disappointing when sent off a short favourite alst time at Goodwood but has been fairly consistent before then and given another chance on Good ground here to show his true form.
Winner - (6) Shandoz @7/2f [David Egan]

15:40 The Tweenhills Follow The Foals Handicap Stakes
6f  [Class 2  11 runners]
On a hat trick MAY SONIC does appeal in this field and can continue to be competitive while EQUIANO SPRINGS was a big price chasing home Chil Chil last time out here and should go close again with a repeat of that run. As a possible place bet Fortamour has continue to run well since winning at Newcastle earlier in the year and with the in form Cieren Fallon in the saddle should also have race run to suit. 
Winner - (11) Fortamour @9/1 [Cieren Fallon]

16:15 The Porsche Handicap Stakes
7f  [Class 3  17 runners]
Finishing this meeting with a large field sprint over a seven furlong trip, headed by a former Royal Ascot Group 1 winner Accidental Agent though his best years might be behind him now, so we'll side with BLUE MIST who won here last time and could still be improving. Though Revich is also in good order this is completely different to the twisting turns of Chester that he appears to prefer, so instead we would consider VIA SERENDIPITY another recent course winner and has Hayley Turner in the saddle too who clearly gets on with him well.
Winner - (5) Documenting @14/1 [Ray Dawson]

Results will be update here later on during the afternoon, have a great weekend, more racing soon.