1PT WIN, SACRIFICIAL @8/1, 1PT WIN EMPIRE STORM @19.5, Balmoral Handicap, Ascot 15:45

A cracking handicap to round off Champions Day with last season’s victor Brone Angel looking to reclaim his crown. This is an extremely competitive mile race with some seasoned handicappers and his revised mark looks a little stiff to capture this again.

Buckstay did superbly to collar Gabriel’s lad last time out, but 8f might stretch him and with a 6lb hike he is plenty short. Balty Boys remains a contender based on his Ascot form, though he has struggled to get his head in front off lower marks in big handicaps.

Sacrificial catches the eye for Ger Lyons. Third in the Britannia Stakes here and up 13lbs owing to some strong performances, this three-year-old gelding has been mightily progressive and remains with further potential. He runs off the same mark since finishing third behind subsequent pattern winner Devonshire and gd-sft ground with a draw low-to-middle should be in his favour. There is 8/1 still about from 10s earlier in the week, and he looks sure to put in a bold bid with a 3lb allowance.

Empire Storm featured in the Lockinge last season behind Solow and was racing in Dubai earlier in the year. He is lightly raced this campaign, and comes here in good form having finished third to Buckstay last time out with a 6lb pull in his favour. He has not won in over three years which is clearly a concern, but his trainer seems confident of a strong run and felt a 10-day break was too short last time having been off 223 days previously, he looks a decent price and is worth getting on also.

1pt win Sacrifical @8/1, 1pt win Empire Storm@19.5, Ascot 15:45

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