Hannon fancies The Grape Escape to complete lucrative hat-trick in Balmoral

4.30 Ascot
Balmoral Handicap | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV

Away from the Group-race bonanza on Champions Day, the final race, the Balmoral Handicap, offers some relatively smaller stables the opportunity for a lucrative payday on Britain's richest card.

Carrying a purse of £250,000, the mile contest is the most valuable of its type in Europe and the likes of Eve Johnson Houghton (Accidental Agent), Denis Coakley (Hors De Combat), Charlie McBride (Brigliadoro) and John Best (Eddystone Rock) have all secured a place among the 20 highest-weighted runners, with none of the reserves sneaking in at Friday's cut-off point.

What they say

David O'Meara, trainer of Firmament and Lord Glitters
Lord Glitters ran really well here last time over seven furlongs and seemed to handle the track well. The rain is a negative for Firmament and he has top weight, but he likes Ascot and does show his best form in these big-field handicaps.

Richard Hannon, trainer of George William, Oh This Is Us and The Grape Escape
George William appears in great form and off his Listed placed effort at Newbury he should be right there. The only problem is he has a 6lb penalty. Oh This Is Us doesn’t want it too soft but as long as it’s not sticky ground he should be able to get through it. The Grape Escape had a good break in the middle of the season and has come back in great form. He's won his last two starts and off his official mark is a couple of pounds well in. He should run a big race.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Accidental Agent
I suppose the negatives are the ground will be softer than he's encountered before and he's up 6lb for his victory at the track last time. But he's been very progressive and should run a huge race.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Gabrial and Withernsea
Gabrial is not getting any younger and would have a chance on his best form, but I wish he was drawn lower as I'm worried about his position in 23. Withernsea will get his ground and this is his trip, but he hasn't got anything hidden and will need everything to slot right to win.

John Gosden, trainer of GM Hopkins and Linguistic
GM Hopkins loves Ascot and this is his last race before he goes to the Horses In Training Sale. Linguistic ran well the other day, he won't mind the ground and hopefully he can run well before he heads off to run in Dubai over the winter.

Denis Coakley, trainer of Hors De Combat
He ran very well when second in a Listed race at Sandown last time but there's a lot of rain around and I don't know whether the conditions will suit.

Roger Varian, trainer of Zabeel Prince and White Lake
Both horses are in great form, although I would have preferred lower draws. Zabeel Prince should relish conditions, although White Lake might want better ground.

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