Flaming weather could rule Bloom challenger out of big Ascot handicap

The chances of Flaming Spear securing another big Saturday handicap for owner Tony Bloom could be scuppered by the hot weather.

Bloom, who owns this year's Northumberland Plate and last season's Cesarewitch winner Withhold, claimed a third big staying prize when Stratum captured the inaugural running of the JLT Handicap at Newbury on Saturday.

Flaming Spear heads the betting for the Gigaset International Stakes at Ascot at 12-1 with Boylesports having finished fifth, but first of his group, in the Royal Hunt Cup during the royal meeting on his first run for trainer Dean Ivory.

Librisa Breeze: won the International Handicap two years agoCredit: Charlie Crowhurst

Ivory trained Librisa Breeze to land the valuable handicap for Bloom, the owner of Brighton football club, two years ago but is concerned the ground may be too quick.

The going at Ascot on Sunday was good to firm after 5mm of rain on Friday night with a dry and sunny forecast for the week.

"We'll have to see what the ground's like, which looks to be on firm side, although we might get a bit of rain before," said Ivory.

"There's been very little rain since he last ran at Ascot. They've been watering but I'm very concerned about the ground. At the moment the ground isn't suitable. He needs cut in the ground and if the rain doesn't come, he won't run."

Gigaset International Stakes card

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