Friday 2nd October 2026
1.50 Ascot – (Class 4 Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap) (7f)
This is a typically competitive race; however, it may pay to back the Charlie Clover-trained NORCOSS BROW, ridden by Henry Callan. He’s been in great form this campaign since joining this yard, recording three wins with a string of placed efforts. He also ran well on his most recent outing, which came at Epsom last month, finishing third of nine and just a length and a quarter behind the eventual winner. He’ll contest this particular affair off the same mark as last time, and that has to make him of serious interest. Henry Callan is also a very capable amateur, who’s operating at an impressive forty-percent strike rate this season.
Norcross Brow – (17/2) (Each-Way)
(5 places)
2.25 Ascot – (Class 2 Novice) (7f)
Experience could win the day in this likely hot novice event, as LEARNING should hold strong claims to get her head in front at the fourth time of asking for the team of Richard Hannon and Pat Dobbs. She’s run with credit in each of her three starts to date, improving with each start, and all three have come within Class 2 company. Most recently, she was only half a length behind Sorrengail at Newbury when eventually finishing second, keeping on well in the closing stages. That rival is now rated 92 and had already beaten the very useful Speed Of Sound earlier in the campaign, giving the form a very strong feel. I think the Hannon filly should go very close here. Both Pink Laspur and Concurrent are open to significant improvement on their second starts, with the Gosden-charge potentially being the biggest danger to the selection following her Kempton run when second behind the exciting Lex Victoria.
Learning – (2/1) (Win) (NAP)
3.00 Ascot – (Class 3 Classified Stakes) (1m)
Anthony Oppenheimer looks to hold a firm grip on this competitive-looking classified event, and out of his runner it’s PRINCLING I’ve sided with for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. Three-year-olds often do well in this particular contest, and this Kingman colt looked like a useful novice, and already has some strong form to his name within highly competitive handicaps, running well in the Silver Bowl at Carlisle before following that run up with a very solid fifth-placed effort at the Royal Meeting here in June. This is his first run since being gelded following a poor display at Newmarket in July, where he was too keen to do himself justice. I think he’s got every chance of bouncing back. The unexposed Cockade could be a big danger for the Gosden’s on his handicap debut; he’s a novice winner and is feared under the same ownership.
Princling – (4/1) (Win) (NB)
4.10 Ascot – (Class 2 Handicap) (6f)
The competitive theme certainly continues in this eighteen-runner sprint; however, Michael Appleby’s ANNAF could be the answer. He’s been a very useful sprinter on his day, and whilst he’s not hit the same heights as of late, he posted his best effort for a while last time out at Doncaster when finishing fourth of twenty-one in the Portland, just a length and a quarter behind eventual winner Air Force One. He’s also no stranger to success at this track, and has won two runnings of the Group 3 Bengough Stakes, which takes place at this meeting. He’s won off much higher marks within handicap company in the past, and if he gets some luck in the run, he could play a big role under Jason Watson.
Annaf – (11/2) (Each-Way)
(5 places)
