ITV Racing Saturday Ascot Preview - 21/10/23

The reigning 3 time champion of this race, Trueshan had made this his race over the last few years and with the rain falling, looks to have his perfect conditions to be effective.

Despite not starting the season in his usual vein of form, Trueshan has sprung into life this Autumn, winning the Doncaster Cup under an inspired ride from Hollie Doyle before going over to France and winning the Prix Du Cadran in style.

He’s in top form and has proven the absolute master of this race over the last few seasons, certainly the one to beat.

Despite being a 6 year old now he’s still been running to his dazzling best this season and although he couldn’t quite go the pace in the Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot he shaped well enough to be 7th on his seasonal comeback.

Unable to live with Shaquille at Haydock next time out, he stepped back up to his ideal 7 furlongs since and recorded a brace of Group Two victories.

Short for room last time out at a crucial moment in the Prix de la Foret, he still ran well to be 2nd.

Soft ground over 6 furlongs should see him back to his best and he won this race last year in fine style.

Jospeh O’Brien’s well bred filly Above The Curve has been in smart form this season and ran well in some top events.

Already a Group One winner over 10 furlongs at the start of last season, the daughter of American Pharaoh has since followed up twice in Group Two company.

She’s been running well in defeat this season but has just struggled to get her head back in front since winning at Saint-Cloud at the start of the season.

She didn’t have the pace over 12 furlongs when last seen but a soft ground is right up her alley and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her going close again here.

Despite suffering a blip on his stellar career last time out Paddington returns as favourite for a deep looking renewal of the QEII and it’s hard to get away from Aidan O’Briens star 3 year old in the mile contest here.

Going from strength to strength this season saw him capture the Irish 2000 Guineas in a canter before winning the St James’ Palace stakes over the round course here during the Royal Meeting.

He ground out success in the Sussex Stakes despite bad ground and although not quite getting home in the Juddmonte International, should be able to get back to winning ways here.

His form sets the standard and he’s proven himself on rain softened ground, getting weight from his elders, he looks the one to beat out of the 3 year olds.

Only making his 3 year old debut for Roger Varian in the Derby, King Of Steel outran his huge 66/1 odds for the Epsom Classic to be a close 2nd to Auguste Rodin.

Brought to Ascot off the back of that for the King Edward VII Stakes he absolutely bolted up but has found life a little difficult since taking on his elders at the top.

A decent 3rd in the King George was followed by a 4th in the Irish Champion Stakes where he was only beaten a length. Given a more positive ride here he’ll likely go a lot closer and has already proven himself on soft ground having scored his maiden on soft going.

Getting weight again from his elders, running to his usual form should see him get the better or favourite Horizon Dore.

Andrew Balding’s 3 year old has been right at home on soft ground in her career and with the current rainfall should be right at home.

A return performance over 8.5 furlongs was outstanding and saw her carry a penalty to a huge 5 lengths success at Beverley but has since been campaigned over shorter. She scored a listed event over 7 furlongs on soft ground at Carlisle before finding things happening a little too quickly last time out behind the front running Matilda Picotte who’s since franked the form again.

She moves back up in trip here which looks like it’ll suit and a mark of 98 might just underestimate her abilities over this trip. With plenty of pace drawn nearby her, she should get the perfect tow into the race.

A soft ground handicap specialist, Al Mubhir bolted up on his final start of last season on soft ground and was subsequently sent off favourite for the Lincoln but only managed 5th.

He righted that wrong with an impressive display at Leicester on his next outing again soft ground playing to his strengths. The handicapper replied to the tune of 9lbs however so he had to step up in grade following that win.

Unable to really make his presence felt at listed level and a troubled passage in the Golden Mile at Goodwood only saw him come 8th.

Granted a clear run, he’s capable of running well off this mark and will get his ground conditions to suit.