2.35 Ascot: the one race you do not want to miss on Friday

2.35 Ascot
Londonmetric Noel Murless Stakes (Listed Race) | Class 1 | 1m6f | Sky Sports Racing

Why is it interesting?

The race honours legendary Newmarket trainer Noel Murless, who was champion trainer nine times and won the Derby on three occasions courtesy of Crepello (1957), St Paddy (1960) and Royal Palace (1967).

First staged at Newmarket in 2002, it was moved to Ascot in 2011 and recent winners include 2017 Stayers' Hurdle winner Nichols Canyon (2013), when trained by John Gosden, and Big Orange (2014), who went on to prove himself a superstar by landing the Ascot Gold Cup in 2017.

This looks a particularly competitive renewal with no standout performer, although I'll Have Another, one of two for Mark Johnston, appears to hold solid claims from a ratings perspective.

What do the stats say?

Ralph Beckett won this race with Alyssa in 2016, and looks to have another progressive filly on his hands in the shape of Hereby, successful on four of her last five starts and now with an official rating of 88.

Alyssa came into the race on the back of three wins from her previous four outings and with a rating of 91, so there are clear parallels between the two.

What do the trainers say?

Ed Walker, trainer of Cap Francais
He's in great form. His last run was a bit disappointing, but he wasn't beaten that far. The step up in trip at Ascot should suit, and he ran well on very soft ground at Lingfield. Hopefully it's a good opportunity to get his head in front in Pattern company.

William Muir, trainer of Just Hubert
I've always considered him a long-term prospect. Despite not being in love with firm ground, he's done all his winning this year on it. People say that he was beaten on soft ground at Chester, but he got stopped in his run five times in that race. The ground won't be an issue at Ascot.

He got two miles well at Musselburgh, so the test of stamina round Ascot should suit. He's been a big baby and is only just starting to look like a horse. I'm hoping he's a cup horse in the making for next season, and the long-term dream is the Melbourne Cup.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Hereby
What a progression it's been with this filly, we didn't foresee this at the start of the season. The formbook says her last run at Chester was her best run so she's still improving. I think she'll get 1m6f and will enjoy the ground. She's in great form, and we're looking to climb another step up the ladder. There is every possibility she will stay in training next year.

Andrew Balding, trainer of Tribal Craft
She's been progressive all year and run well in a couple of decent handicaps. She should handle the conditions, and we'd be very happy with a place.

What do our tipsters say?

I'll Have Another looks the form horse but was treading water in the closing stages when she tried 1m6f on heavy going last time out. Preference is for Hereby who has won on soft and been progressive at 1m4f, bringing the reasonable hope that 1m6f will not impede further improvement. Almania and Sapa Inca may be best of the rest.

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