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15:05 Ascot
Mandoob has only raced three times but has won twice. He found subsequent Grade One scorer Yibir too good in the Bahrain Trophy, last time out, at Newmarket. He’s unexposed over the trip but he should stay it. He stayed on behind Yibir over a mile and five furlongs, so it stands him in good stead for the extra furlong. Equally, that also poses a question on his stamina. Additionally, he’s never raced at Ascot, which isn’t brilliant. He has potential but it would be risky to side with him today.
Scope hasn’t won this year but he is taking a massive drop in class. He was last seen sixth when staying on, from a long way back, in the St Leger. Before that, he wasn’t a long way away over a mile and four furlongs behind the aforementioned Yibir. On form, he is the class act but he’s never ran at Ascot before and this ground hasn’t exactly been favourable for him.
Chalk Stream brought up the hat-trick at Ascot, last time out, when absolutely running away from the rest of the field. That was over a mile and four furlongs but by the nature of his victory, you’d imagine the extra two furlongs won’t be a problem. The fact he’s a course winner, the ground isn’t a problem and he should relish the step up in trip, all stack the odds in his favour.
CHALK STREAM (WIN) written by Kieran McHugh