'His strong-staying Sandown effort makes him a big player off an unchanged mark'

Saturday: 3.50 Ascot
Equine Productions "The Fall" Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap) | 7f | 3yo+ | ITV4/Sky

Ground-saving rail movements have led to high draws dominating this 7f sprint in recent seasons. Given the general desire to cluster towards the near-side rail on the straight course all year, it would be no surprise if those in double-figure stalls fight out the finish once again.

Runners who have jumped from stall 17 have entered the winner's enclosure in the last two editions of this race and the well-supported Al Rufaa, who was available at 11-1 earlier in the week, will bid to extend that coincidental streak.

The son of Kingman is one of a handful of prolific and lightly raced handicappers in the field and appears to have been kept fresh for an autumn campaign. His strong-staying runner-up effort at Sandown makes him a big player off an unchanged mark of 100.

Course winners River Nymph, Escobar, Fresh and Documenting, who will break from stalls seven to ten, could all bounce back from recent defeats now that they return to this stiff track. The best of that group might be Fresh, who was only narrowly denied by Group 1 sprinter Rohaan on his penultimate outing here and evidently relishes testing conditions.

Aldaary, another course-and-distance winner, heads the three-year-old brigade. The son of Territories was touted as the second coming when he bolted up on his seasonal reappearance but has failed to match that form on quicker ground since. A mark of 103 shouldn't hold him back, but stall two might compromise his chance.

Group races await the five-timer-seeking Aratus, but his participation may be in doubt as he wouldn't want it overly testing. The Ado McGuinness-trained Pierre Lapin is of interest at bigger odds. He was sent off at just 7-2 for the 2020 Commonwealth Cup, and although he hasn't built on a promising juvenile campaign the handicapper is now giving him a chance.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Agent back in a handicap

Veteran Accidental Agent is back in the handicap ranks in a bid to win this for a second time, four years on from landing it as a three-year-old.

Accidental Agent beat Lord Glitters in 2017 and is reunited with apprentice Georgia Dobie, the pair successful in a mile handicap at Newmarket in July.

Since then Accidental Agent has been his usual consistent self at a higher level and was beaten only four lengths by Benbatl in the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket eight days ago.

Georgia Dobie and Accidental Agent after winning at Newmarket in July

Rated 116 in his pomp when winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2018, Accidental Agent has been through a few hoops since then but is still rated 107 and Dobie takes off a handy 3lb, although she was claiming 5lb when the pairing obliged on the July course.

Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton said: "He's in really good form but he wouldn't want the ground to get too soft. It's a tough handicap but as we know the weight range is fairly narrow which is in his favour. I'd say he'd have a good chance of winning it again."

What they say

David O'Meara, trainer of Escobar and Young Fire
Both will enjoy the track and the style of race. The ground will be fine for them – any rain would be a positive for Young Fire.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Qaysar and Mums Tipple
Qaysar goes in and out of form but when he's in form he's capable of beating anything. He's ground dependent and if it's very soft it's a huge advantage to him. We're playing around with Mums Tipple trip-wise and he won on his debut at Ascot. It's been a bit difficult for him all year, as since winning a Listed race early on he's been pretty high in the handicap. I'm hopeful one of these will fall his way.

Clive Cox, trainer of River Nymph
River Nymph is a previous winner over course and distance and will appreciate any ease in the ground. He's gone up in the weights since then but goes there in excellent form.

Kevin Frost, trainer of Documenting
We'll see how the ground is looking but I would imagine it's too soft for him to run, which is a shame as we've had this race in mind for a while.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Fundamental and Al Rufaa
Both are drawn close to the stands' rail so we'll have to see how that pans out. Fundamental got no luck in running at Newbury last time and should handle any ease in the ground. Al Rufaa ran a very promising race to be second at Sandown last time and should also be okay on the ground.

William Haggas, trainer of Aldaary
His last three runs have been on fast ground and he really wants softer conditions. He should get them at Ascot and I'd expect him to run a bit better.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner of Symbolize
He was a good third on soft ground in the Jersey Stakes at the track in June so should handle conditions and has the ability to take a hand, although he's not that consistent.

Roger Varian, trainer of Ascension
We've been waiting to run him for a while now as he's missed a few engagements due to firm ground, so hopefully the wait will pay off as he looks like he'll get the soft ground he loves. His recent work has been good and we're looking forward to running him.

Joe Foley, spokesman for Clipper Logistics, owners of Fresh
He always runs well at Ascot so we're hoping for more of the same. He's trying a new trip this time around and it will be interesting to see how he gets on.
Reporting by David Milnes

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets