Royal Ascot possible heads over hurdles at Ballinrobe and Tommie Beau back to defend Cartmel title

Ballinrobe: potential Royal Ascot prep for Willie Mullins runner

A jumps card at Ballinrobe may not be the most obvious place for a Royal Ascot clue, but a confidence boost for Belloccio in the 2m2½f hurdle (4.25) could tee up his return to the meeting.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old won the Copper Horse Handicap under William Buick after an easy win over hurdles last season, and he takes a big drop in class having contested a Grade 1 last time.

He finished well beaten behind Final Demand at the Punchestown festival, having previously been third to Irancy in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse in April.

Elsewhere, the Mullins-trained Westport Cove seeks a first victory over fences in the beginners' chase (6.00), and the champion trainer has A Penny A Hundred in the feature €100,000 McHale Mayo National (6.30).

Belloccio16:25 Ballinrobe

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Jky: Paul Townend Tnr: W P Mullins

Cartmel: Tommie Beau returns after winning red-hot race last season

A subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner, Topham second and Mares' Hurdle third all finished behind Tommie Beau in the 3m1½f handicap hurdle (3.30) last season, and he returns aiming for a repeat win.

Wbee, who is in the field again, completed a race double in 2022, and the Seamus Mullins-trained Tommie Beau arrives after something of a confidence boost when second at Fakenham at the start of the new season.

After beating Lisnamult Lad, Wonderwall and Take No Chances 12 months ago, he endured a frustrating season, most notably when running out when in contention in a Cheltenham cross-country race in November. Connections aimed high with him, but a return to this level should suit as he bids for victory number four at the Lake District circuit.

Tommie Beau15:30 Cartmel

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Jky: Micheal Nolan Tnr: Seamus Mullins

Huntingdon: top course trainer has just one runner

No trainer has been more successful at the track since the start of last season than James Owen with nine winners, and he has Prince Quattro looking to take him to double digits in the 2m handicap hurdle (3.46).

The six-year-old had a promising first run for the Newmarket stable, finishing third at Plumpton this month. The dual winner in Ireland was joint favourite in East Sussex and was beaten only a length and a quarter.

Owen is in tremendous form and adds a visor for the first time, while Alex Chadwick takes over in the saddle and claims 5lb.

The Newmarket trainer, who has had two course winners from just five runners this season, said: "We learned a good bit about on him on his first start and we're just going to put some headgear on him. Alex claims off him, which should help, and it looks an ideal race just down the road from us."

Prince Quattro15:46 Huntingdon

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Jky: Mr Alex Chadwick (5lb)Tnr: James Owen

Leicester: promising types clash

An intriguing clash between smart prospects Boatswain and Aurel in the 1m2f novice stakes (3.05) is the highlight.

On ratings the former has the advantage, with the assessor handing him a mark of 94 after going down narrowly to Godolphin's Masai Moon in a Nottingham novice this month. He had won well at Lingfield on his debut at the start of the year.

Aurel, who also made a winning start at Kempton in November, was given a mark of 88 after finishing last of four behind Alpine Trail in the Listed Newmarket Stakes at the Guineas meeting.

Matsuri went on to finish fourth behind Los Angeles in the Irish Derby after winning a division of this race last season.

Redcar: 'talented' Azure bids to enhance Ed Bethell's strike-rate

Ed Bethell has had two winners from just three runners at the North Yorkshire track this year and could strike again through Azure Angel. 

The five-year-old is one of three course runners for the trainer on Monday, alongside Desert Of The Sea and Zetland Gold Cup runner See That Storm, and he expects her to have come on for her stable debut at Wolverhampton last month, when she finished fifth. 

Azure Angel has never won on turf but was tried twice at Listed level when with Roger Varian. She is set to take on nine rivals under Callum Rodriguez in the 6f handicap (5.10)

"It looks like they've missed quite a lot of the rain, which is good," said Bethell. "She was a bit disappointing at Wolverhampton, but a few of mine were needing their first run then. She's a talented mare. She's never won on turf but this looks the right race for her."

Azure Angel17:10 Redcar

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Jky: Callum Rodriguez Tnr: Edward Bethell

Redcar stat: Michael Dods's 50 per cent strike-rate

The trainer is 2-4 with runners in the 5f handicap (4.00) since 2021 and saddles Brazilian Belle and Keep The Gold.

Windsor: City Of Delight looks to end Menuisier drought

It has been a frustrating time for David Menuisier, with no winner in 28 days, but the prolific City Of Delight has a shot at bringing that cold spell to an end in the 1m2f handicap (4.30).

The four-year-old has won six of his last seven starts, including winning narrowly at Epsom when last seen in April.

The handicapper has raised him 3lb but the improvement could keep coming, his winning run having started over this course and distance last June.

Windsor stat: Stuart Williams' impressive 75 per cent record

The trainer is 3-4 this season in handicaps at Windsor, with a level-stake profit of £32.91. He runs Merrimack (5.05).

Raffles Angel19:35 Windsor

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Jky: Jonny Peate Tnr: Jack Jones

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