Timeform Daily: Friday, Ascot 15:55

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Timeform /
22 July 2011 /
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Ascot Races

“Three-year-olds have a very good record in two-mile all-aged handicaps at this time of year helped by a very favourable weight-for-age allowance, and fast-improving Colour Vision could well prove too good for the equally unexposed four-year-old Keys.”

This two-mile handicap looks a fascinating contest. Timeform run the rule over the field…

Dayia is a consistent mare who stays well and won twice for Jeff Pearace last year. She ran well in the Queen Alexandra on her recent return, but faces a stiff task here off a mark 6 lb higher than when beaten in the Cesarewitch.

Mountain Hiker has his share of temperament (twice refused to enter stalls) but showed he could win handicaps when placed at York and over this course and distance on his last two starts. A visor replaces cheekpieces now and he’s respected again.

Downhiller was steadily progress as a three- and four-year-old until suffering a leg injury in the Chester Cup. He has his well-being to prove after over two years put and the betting will likely prove a guide as to what is expected.

Very Good Day made hard work of winning a maiden in 2010 but has plenty of good form, notably his third to Rewilding in a listed race at Goodwood. He hasn’t made much impression in good handicaps this year and is now tried over a much longer trip.

L Frank Baum won a newcomers race when trained in Italy in 2010. He seems to have sown quite useful form in varied company from a handful of runs in this country, but isn’t the easiest to assess now going handicapping.

Alazan won at Sandown last September and was unlucky not to follow up at Doncaster the following month. He found a mile and a quarter inadequate on his reappearance but was never campaigned as an out-and-out stayer over hurdles.

Red Kestrel made all to win a seller in April and a handicap in June, both at Musselburgh. He improved again when second at Sandown last time and has possibilities if staying two miles as well on turf as he does on the all-weather.

Keys created a good impression when winning all three of his starts in bumpers but has taken until finally tried at two miles to realise his potential on the Flat, hacking up in a handicap at Newbury last weekend. It’s hard not to think he’ll be in the mix under a penalty (due to be much higher in future).

Magicalmysterytour largely ran respectably in 2010 after winning over a mile and a half at Newmarket in August, but is still to fire this time round for all he was second at Windsor last month. He looks a minor player again.

Colour Vision is an unexposed stayer who has looked wayward, but has got his act together of late, impressively winning handicaps at Chester and Haydock on his two most recent starts. He’s sure to go well again.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Colour Vision
2. Keys
3. Mountain Hiker

Timeform View: Three-year-olds have a very good record in two-mile all-aged handicaps at this time of year helped by a very favourable weight-for-age allowance, and fast-improving Colour Vision could well prove too good for the equally unexposed four-year-old Keys in a fascinating match up. Mountain Hiker might have to be content with a place again.

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Timeform Daily: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Saturday, Ascot 16:30

Timeform run the rule over the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes……

Timeform Daily: Thursday, Sandown 15:20

Timeform run the rule over the listed Star Stakes……

Timeform Daily: Wednesday, Sandown 19:40

Timeform go through the runners for this competitive handicap……