Key punting pointers as Burnt Sugar bids to bounce back in rematch of last year

3.00 AscotMoet & Chandon International Stakes (Heritage Handicap) | 7f | 3yo+ | ITV/SKY

No horse has won the International Stakes twice this century but that is the challenge facing Burnt Sugar, who completed a stunning July handicap double in the race last year.

Sent off at 20-1 for this race last year, Burnt Sugar gamely followed up his win in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket by beating Arbalet and Ripp Orf.

The three who filled the frame in the £150,000 contest last year are back for more, with Ripp Orf running off 1lb higher and wearing a first-time tongue-tie, Burnt Sugar challenging from the same mark and Arbalet competing from a 3lb lower mark.

Burnt Sugar needs to bounce back from a poor showing in the Bunbury Cup but trainer Roger Fell is hopeful for better, providing some of the forecast rain materialises.

Fell, who also runs Admirality, said: "He could do with the rain coming. He's is grand form, he's just a year older and got a bit more wear and tear.

Key stat

One favourite has won this in the last ten years, with eight of the ten priced 14-1 or bigger.

"Admirality is in really good form, I think he's a proper horse. If he gets a little bit of cover he could do it, providing it doesn't rain too much. They both want different ground."

Arbalet returns to handicap company for the first time since last year's contest, and trainer Hugo Palmer said: "We've been pleased with his last two runs and, while we've been pleased, the handicapper clearly hasn't because he's dropped him 3lb. A return to his best should see him go close, let's hope the handicapper is wrong."

Legend hoping to make name for himself

Land Of Legends (blue silks) won at Newmarket's July course last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Land Of Legends started his career with a fine second to classy miler King Of Comedy at Yarmouth and has progressed quickly through the ranks, winning his last two races at Kempton and Newmarket.

His trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "Land Of Legends is doing well and came out of his most recent race in good order. He just needs to sit handy in the field and should have a good chance in the race."

The Yorkshire dominance

The International Stakes has been dominated by Yorkshire-based trainers, with six of the last nine winners trained in the county.

Spotting them is not easy either, with five of the six obliging at double-figure odds, including 50-1 shot Stamp Hill for Richard Fahey two years ago. Fahey has won this three times in nine years and Mark Johnston twice. This year 11 of the 29 runners are trained in Yorkshire.

What they say

Roger Charlton, trainer of Blue Mist and Makzeem
The ground was too firm for Blue Mist last time but it was disappointing. Makzeem won pretty easily at Newbury, it was probably not a strong race but almost a career-best. If he can reproduce that he's got a good chance. Both are weather dependent.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Zap
He's been a fraction disappointing this year but he has the ability to run well in something like this, so we'll just hope he bounces back.

Roger Varian, trainer of Spanish City and Mubhij
Spanish City has run in a number of these big handicaps and he's overdue to land one. We've put blinkers on for the first time and if it sharpens him up to find a length that might be all he needs. Mubhij has quietly come up the ranks this year and has looked potentially smart on a couple of occasions. He's one of the few unexposed horses in the field and we'll get a real measure on him in this race.

William Haggas, trainer of Island Of Life and Fanaar
Island Of Life has not been as good on turf as the all-weather but she has some sporting owners and takes her chance. Fanaar ran really well to finish third in the Britannia last month and the drop back in trip will suit, but he is drawn right next to the rail.

Nigel Tinkler, trainer of Kaeso
We're happy with the draw, jockey and horse, we could do with a little bit of rain but it is forecast.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Vale Of Kent and Lake Volta
Vale Of Kent was not beaten far in the Royal Hunt Cup and is likely to be better at seven furlongs than a mile as he is a strong-travelling horse. Lake Volta is versatile and the step up to seven furlongs will be in his favour.

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