Going eases at Ascot following morning rain as Trueshan shortens for repeat win

The going at Ascot has eased ahead of Qipco British Champions Day to good to soft, soft in places (from good to soft, good in places).

Early morning showers arrived at the course at 8am and after walking the track just before lunchtime, clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: "After 2.5mm of rain we're good to soft, soft in places. We're not expecting any more rain."

With conditions easing, punters have thrown their weight behind soft-ground specialist Trueshan in the Qipco Long Distance Cup (1.25).

Alan King's Prix du Cadran winner, set to be ridden by Hollie Doyle, has been backed into 11-8 (from 7-4) to land back-to-back wins in the Group 2 after storming to a seven-and-a-half-length success last year. Support has also been coming for St Leger third The Mediterranean, who is now 12-1 (from 18).

Early morning support has also come for Aldaary, who has been backed into second favourite in the Balmoral Handicap (4.30), the final race of Ascot's Qipco British Champions Day.

The William Haggas-trained runner has been shortened to 5-1 (from 12) for the mile handicap.

The three-year-old has won twice in four starts at Ascot, the most recent of those coming two weeks ago when winning over 7f on heavy ground.

Sunray Major remains 2-1 favourite under Frankie Dettori and is unbeaten in two starts this season.

Haggas will be hoping Aldaary can cap off a successful Champions Day, with key runners Hamish (1.25), Baaeed (3.10), Addeybb and Dubai Honour (3.50) all chasing big wins on Saturday.

Aldaary: backed in from double figures to 5-1 for the Balmoral HandicapCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Market movers

1.25
Trueshan 11-8 (from 7-4)
The Mediterranean 12-1 (from 18)

2.00
Art Power 4-1 (from 5)
Kinross 8-1 (from 10)

2.35
Albaflora 4-1 (from 6)

3.10
The Revenant 7-1 (from 10)

3.50
Sealiway 11-1 (from 14)

4.30
Sunray Major 2-1 (from 5-2)
Aldaary 5-1 (from 12)

Non-runners

1.25
5 Morando
10 Princess Zoe

More on British Champions Day:

ITV Racing tips: one key runner from each of the six Champions Day races on ITV

Your guide to the key races, star horses and best tips on Champions Day

Oisin Murphy v William Buick: title challenger faces difficult task on final day

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