Experience of classy runners gives punters a fighting chance in the Wokingham

4.10 AscotWokingham Stakes (Class 2 heritage handicap) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV/SKY

Having a Silver Wokingham this year lays bare what some have been saying about the big handicaps, especially sprints, for some time. Pulling up the ladder to the point that nothing rated below 96 can get a run robs these races of many of the progressive types they would traditionally attract.

Maybe it is just as well. Hardly anyone will look at races like the Wokingham wishing they were more competitive. The good news about the race being comparatively light on completely unexposed sorts is that it means the piece of form that unlocks it probably exists.

If it does, the law of averages suggests that Summerghand was involved somewhere. He is the archetype of a race like this, a standing dish with an uncanny knack of getting involved. Last year he was fifth in this race, fourth in the Stewards' Cup, second in the Great St Wilfrid and fourth in the Ayr Gold Cup. He was also second in a race at Newmarket 15 days ago in which five of this field last raced, including stablemate Gulliver who now has Ryan Moore aboard.

The market is likely to realign depending on what happens in the Silver version at 12.40. The trend over the week has been for the stands' rail preference over the first couple of days to tend back towards the centre of the track.

If that is what continues, considerations along the lines of the draw extend only as far as being near to the pace and ideally away from the wings. Quite a lot of the early front-runners look to be drawn middle or high, which is no positive for early favourite Bielsa who will break from stall three.

Keith Melrose, betting editor

Sly to stay at home due to Covid-19 protocols

Classic-winning trainer Pam Sly is having her first runner at the royal meeting since 2006 in the shape of Dazzling Dan but unfortunately she won't be there to see it.

The Peterborough-based handler last had a runner when her 1,000 Guineas winner Speciosa finished ninth to Nannina in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes.

She said: "It's a shame the owners can't go but I also won't be there as the BHA say I'm too old to be allowed in. Anyone over 70 is not allowed into any racecourses at the moment due to the restrictions. I'm a month off my 77th birthday so I'm a definite non-runner."

As for her chances of raising a glass at home to a winner of the fiercely contested handicap, she said: "Adam Kirby got off him at Newmarket the other day and said he wasn't fit enough so I've done a bit with him since.

"The ground that day was lightning quick so this rain should suit. Win, lose or draw I'll be opening a bottle at home, though!"

What they say

Mick Appleby, trainer of Danzeno
He may have top weight but he runs well at the track and goes well fresh so he has plenty going for him. He also likes some ease in the ground so I expect a good show.

Amanda Perrett, trainer of Tinto
He won well on fast ground at Newmarket on his return but has won on heavy at Ascot so is versatile as regards ground requirements. Marco Ghiani gets on well with him and claims a valuable 5lb so we're very much looking forward to running him.

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Angel Alexander
He had a nice winter in Dubai, where he ran well but that was all. The ground was probably a bit too quick out there and the rain has come for him. He won the Ayr Gold Cup off 101 and he's now 105, and so he must have a chance in a very competitive handicap.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Hamad Rashed Bin Ghedayer, owner of Summerghand
He's always knocking on the door in these kind of races and deserves to get his head in front. He ran well last time, likes the ground, has a great draw and has James Doyle booked, so there's plenty to like.

Alastair Donald, spokesman for King Power Racing, owners of Bielsa and Stone Of Destiny
Bielsa was purchased privately over winter with this race in mind and probably wouldn't have had a prep even without lockdown. He handles give in the ground and hopefully his draw in stall three isn't a hindrance. Stone Of Destiny is a tough horse and had it been fast ground I would have fancied him to run a big race so hopefully it dries out a bit.

Hollie Doyle, rider of Recon Mission
He's a nice type who loves some ease in the ground and I expect a big run from him given the conditions.

Peter Hedger, trainer of Sllent Echo
He won well on his return at Newmarket when he had a few of these behind him and he seems in good shape at home.

Roger Varian, trainer of Spanish City
It's a lovely race and I've been dying to run him in it for twelve months but he's very much a fast-ground horse. If it stops raining and dries out a bit he'd have a chance.

David Elsworth, trainer of No Nonsense
He's had nearly a year off so I expect he'll come on for it but I've had this race in mind for him for some time.

Clive Cox, trainer of Lethal Lunch and Konchek
We took Lethal Lunch out on the first day and it's rained ever since so we're concerned conditions might be too easy for him, but he did us proud last year. Konchek would also prefer things to be drier than wetter. He's been gelded and trained well over the winter and his two-year-old form at Group 2 level would mean he's fairly well treated if he can rekindle that form.

William Muir, trainer of Jack's Point
He ran his little legs off to be second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes on Tuesday and hasn't left an oat since so we're giving this a go. I'm more comfortable coming back to six than going up to a mile with him and hopefully can give another good account.

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