Ronald Harris sprung with a 33/1 winner in Just Glamorous to claim this 12 months ago, and he runs two horses with Under The Covers arguably the more interesting of his pair. She warranted strong consideration at odds of 16/1 having put in two back-to-back career bests and may be worth an each-way saver with Skybet offering five places.
But it just looks like it could be the turn of experienced eight-year-old sprinter MUTHMIR again, who has held his form really well all season long despite his age.
His season includes a cracking win against the eventual Nunthorpe Group 1 winner Alpha Delphini in a Haydock Listed race and a third to Battash in a Group 2 at Goodwood in August.
Muthmir’s most recent run was on gd-sft going at Longchamp finishing a length third against two well-fancied runners in the Group 1 Prix De L’Abbaye on Sunday, so I am not overly concerned about the rain that is forecast.
Muthmir’s two other previous starts at Ascot have been in the Group 1 King Stand Stakes finishing third and fourth on each occasion. Although he may not quite be that good anymore, he’s not getting too much slower and this stiff five furlongs seems to suit the way he races.
The likes of Mr. Lupton and Judicial should be on the premises again, but the selection shades the vote given he is getting five and two pound swings respectively with those rivals for short distance defeats earlier in the season.
1pt win Muthmir @5/1, 13:50 Ascot, Saturday (Betfred)