Lord North must overcome poor draw to supplement Cambridgeshire win

4.40 Ascot
Balmoral Handicap | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV/SKY

Cambridgeshire winner Lord North must overcome stall 20 if he is to become the second winning favourite in the last three years in the closing Balmoral Handicap.

The three-year-old, who cosily landed a gamble at the expense of Beringer in the competitive Newmarket contest, has to defy the stats as no winner has come from a draw higher than ten in all five previous runnings of this race.

Lord North was put up 12lb for his Rowley Mile romp on good ground and will find these conditions somewhat different, although he did win his novice on soft at Redcar last year.

Trainer John Gosden, who also fields Kick On, said: "Carrying topweight on heavy ground will be no easy task for Lord North and it's made harder by the draw on the stands' rail.

KEY STAT
No horse drawn higher than 10 has ever won

"They don't get much sun under the shadow of the stands there, which means it's usually slower than the other side. We'll give it a go and he goes there in good shape.

"Kick On should love the ground as his sire Charm Spirit did at this meeting a few years ago."

O'Meara has three shots at repeat glory

Last year's runner up Escobar heads a trio for David O'Meara, who is out to win the race again after the classy Lord Glitters powered home two years ago.

Formerly trained by Hugo Palmer, Escobar has run some solid races in defeat this term, most recently when a staying-on third to reopposing rival Kynren over 7f at the track a fortnight ago.

Escobar: one of three for trainer David O'MearaCredit: John Grossick

O'Meara, who also saddles veteran So Beloved and the much trevelled Waarif, said: "Escobar was second in this last year and should be okay on the ground, although you can never be sure.

"So Beloved is a tough old horse and they tend to go on any ground as should Waarif. If he handles the ground he would have place claims."

King Cieren looks for double celebration

On the day he is crowned champion apprentice, Cieren Fallon gets the chance to celebrate in style by scoring on Godolphin's Commander Cole in a contest that replaced the apprentice handicap five years ago.

Fallon enjoyed one of his highlights of the season when steering Gifts Of Gold home in the famous blue silks at Goodwood in August and is hoping for more of the same from Commander Cole, who is making his first outing of the season on turf.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "Commander Cole ran well to be second to our Bin Battuta at Chelmsford last time and should run well again if he handles the ground."

What the rest say

Richard Fahey, trainer of Coolagh Forest
He’s coming back in trip having won over ten furlongs the last twice, but has won at a mile too and it will take a bit of getting in this ground. He’s in the sales in a few weeks’ time and this is a shot to nothing with £250,000 up for grabs. He’s in great form.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Amedeo Modigliani
He was off a long time before running a lovely race on his return at Cork and he seems to be in good form since. We think he's running off a nice mark so hopefully he should run well.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Chiefofchiefs
He's a very talented horse but there has sometimes been a question mark over his resolution, which is why we are fitting him with a visor. Ascot should suit him and he would have an each-way squeak if he handles the ground.

Biometric: Britannia success stamped him as one to follow for rest of 2019Credit: Mark Cranham

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Khalid Abdullah, owner of Biometric
He won nicely at Royal Ascot on soft ground, but not as soft as it will be this time. Apparently he's in good form since his last run and this looks the right race for him.

Ado McGuinness, trainer of Saltonstall
He has an each-way chance. He'll like the ground, we're just hoping it doesn't get too soft. He worked very well during the week and we're hopeful of a good run.

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