Glen Shiel could be peaking with British Champions Sprint on the horizon

Saturday: 3.15 Ascot
John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (Group 3) | 6f | 3yo+ | ITV4/Sky

The Bengough Stakes provides the perfect opportunity for talented handicappers to take the step up to Group 3 level. Recent winners include Tropics (2013), Cape Byron (2019) and Dakota Gold (2020), although the presence of Blue Point and Shalaa in the roll of honour suggests it's not always that simple for battle-hardened campaigners.

There isn't an unexposed sprinter of that class in this year's field – Boosala might be the closest to fitting that bill – but in Glen Shiel there is a proven Group 1 course-and-distance scorer who gets some crucial class relief.

Archie Watson's seven-year-old hasn't struck in five runs this campaign and a couple of duck eggs on his last two starts would temper the enthusiasm of his biggest fan, but the likelihood is that he's just reaching his peak with the Champions Sprint just around the corner, and anything like his best performance would be too good for these opponents.

Ayr Gold Cup winner Bielsa takes a big leap up in class. He had disappointed on a number of occasions this term before an enterprising ride from Kevin Stott saw him plunder Scotland's biggest handicap prize. There was no fluke in his two-and-a-quarter-length success, but an 8lb swing in the weights should see his Ayr foe reverse the form.

Three-year-olds Diligent Harry, who ran well on his turf debut at Newbury in July, and Jersey Stakes third Vadream have already proved they deserve to compete in this kind of company.

There was no hiding the regard in which Diligent Harry was held earlier in the season and, much like Glen Shiel, appears to be using this race as a prep run ahead of the Champions Sprint in a fortnight. Should he translate his peak all-weather performances, Clive Cox's charge might be overpriced.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Moon back with Tuite

Lullaby Moon has gone full circle since being bought out of Joe Tuite's yard last summer and is back in the sprinting ranks for her first start since returning to the Lambourn trainer in August.

The daughter of Belardo was purchased privately by current owners Amo Racing after winning a 5f fillies' novice on her debut for Tuite at Goodwood in June 2020.

Subsequently switched to Michael Bell, Lullaby Moon was on the move again after finishing just 18th when sent off second favourite for the Newbury Super Sprint.

Sent to Ralph Beckett, Lullaby Moon prospered during the autumn of her juvenile career when landing the Redcar Two Year Old Trophy and a Group 3 in France.

Out of luck when stepped up to a mile in Group 1 company as a three-year-old, Lullaby Moon arrived back at Tuite's Felstead Stables shortly after finishing fourth in a Group 3 at Goodwood in July when the owner and Beckett fell out.

Tuite said: "Lullaby Moon has been a bit like a boomerang if you like but we're enjoying having her back and she's enjoying being back at home again.

"We've prepped her to go for this race for a while and she'll like the ground, although it's competitive enough as you would expect."

What they say

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Hamad Rashed Bin Ghedayer, owner of Summerghand
He has a penalty that makes things hard but he has quite good form at Ascot and I expect him to give another good account. He's also versatile ground-wise and you can never rule him out.

Karl Burke, trainer of Ainsdale
He'll love any rain – the heavier the better for him. He's in good shape and fingers crossed he'll give us a good run.

Alastair Donald, racing manager to King Power Racing, owners of Bielsa
He's now rated 107 so he has to run in this type of race now but he's come out of his win in the Ayr Gold Cup in good shape and we think he'll run with credit. He likes soft ground so should have conditions in his favour.

William Haggas, trainer of Boosala
He's very well. It's a hard task but he's fit and ready to go. He'll like it if the ground gets softer.

Cosmo Charlton, spokesman for Hambleton Racing, owners of Glen Shiel
Hopefully this will be a confidence booster ahead of another crack at the British Champions Sprint, which he won last year. It's a competitive race but he'll enjoy the likely ease in the ground and the more rain the better for him.

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Punchbowl Flyer
The more it rains the better for him. He likes to swim. If the ground does come up very soft he'll cope with the conditions much better than a lot of the runners in there.

Clive Cox, trainer of Diligent Harry
He had an excellent campaign earlier in the year, since when he's had a freshen-up. He's unproven on soft ground, which is a concern, but hopefully it doesn't stop him from showing his best.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Vadream
This has been her target for a while and we expect a stiff six furlongs at Ascot to play to her strengths. She was unlucky in France last time where she would have gone very close with a clear run and is versatile ground-wise.
Reporting by David Milnes

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