Ascot could be another breeze for Ivory's grey

Librisa Breeze can continue to shine for Ivory and Winston 3.40 Ascot

Having failed to progress on a mark of 86 in four starts last term, this year has seen a remarkable upturn in form for Librisa Breeze. The four-year-old grey has improved hand over fist since making his debut for Dean Ivory in April, winning that first start at Wolverhampton and going on to land another over course and distance in July, rising 16lb this year as a result.

All four runs this term have been under the assistance of Robert Winston and the pair have certainly gelled so far. Indeed, along from his comfortable victory in the International Stakes, the four-year-old was unlucky not to bag the Hunt Cup at the royal meeting over a furlong further. Had it not been for his draw in 26 that day, he surely would have won as he ended up on the far side next to the winner Portage having had to make up his move up the centre.

His fourth in the Group 3 City of York Stakes last time, in what was undoubtedly a hot renewal, was another top performance given all other rivals who finished in the top six were rated higher, and the handicapper could have done worse than put up 1lb.

Carrying 9st 9lb in a hot handicap such as this is no easy task, but if the selection can progress again then he'll be knocking on the door once more.


Soft ground far from necessary for Haggle 3.25 Newmarket

Following her sixth at Sandown last time, the view of some seemed to be that Haggle needed soft ground to be at her best. The daughter of Pivotal has good form when there's give underfoot, recording her sole victory in five starts when winning at this track just over 12 months ago when conditions were on the soft side.

However, some of her best efforts have been when the ground has been officially good to firm. The form of her debut effort on the July course last year is better than anything else in this field – finishing third to Ballydoyle and Nemoralia – while her penultimate effort at Glorious Goodwood was a career best when a length second to Desert Haze in a hot heat.

Her Sandown effort was far from poor and, although there was no improvement, the Esher circuit may not have played to her strengths as she does like to come from off the pace.

Conditions aren't expected to be a problem today and we know she handles the track so the one query is the step up in trip. Judging by her pedigree on the dam's side, 1m2f should be within her compass and a big run is expected providing she settles.


Sole Power can roll back the glory years 4.15 Ascot

Five times Sole Power has run in the Prix de l'Abbaye, running some fine races on quite a few of those occasions, but with the nine-year-old not quite the force of old, connections are sensibly taking the Listed route and returning to track where their star has won back-to-back King's Stands rather than make another journey to France.

And Sole Power might be on the wane but he has still shown enough zip of late to see off his opposition in today's Rous Stakes who can't boast a Group win between them in Britain or Ireland.

Granted the selection's form figures this season – all in Pattern company – aren't inspiring, but there have been some decent efforts in Group 1s, not least on his penultimate start when he finished eighth in what was a top Nunthorpe Stakes when he travelled as well as anything from off the pace. Last time in the Flying Five at the Curragh, he got no run up the rail and it was a slight surprise the assessor dropped him 1lb following that effort.

Sole Power's cruising speed remains of high quality and, although he doesn't go through the gears quite like he used to, he can be fancied to beat rivals who would've been upwards of 10lb inferior to him in his pomp.

Jamie Spencer takes the ride on Sole Power for the very first time and the pair can be a potent force on Ascot's straight five if they gel. Obviously the less rain that falls before post time, the better.