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Expert tips: Ascot - 2/12/23

Racing & Sports expert selections.

RSN Racing
RSN Racing Picture: RSN

RACE 1 - DIAMOND SCENE (3) did the job comfortably in the Apprentice's Cup last start and is now aiming for four in a row. Rises in weight, but Pike rides from an inside draw and he should be getting the job done if he can run up to the last-start figures. PLAYHOUSE PATRON (1) stuck on well from toward the rear last time out and will be suited by the step up in trip. Good form at the Melvista and Derby last campaign and can go to a new level now out in trip. I LOVE YOUR SMILE (7) resumed in fine style, scoring by 0.9L at Bunbury, and has turned in a nice trial since that effort. Expecting her to get back once again from the draw but she should be in the finish with improvement likely. DUN WITH THE BLUES (6) jumped favourite last start and the form out of that race has produced 2 winners already. Will be finishing strongly. BANDALERA MISS (4) is usually thereabouts and must be included.

RACE 2 - YONGA LASS (9) continued to build her impressive record with a 0.4L win when storming over the top last time out. The extra journey doesn't seem like it'll pose an issue. Expected to get back once more but can finish right over the top of them once again. NOTEWORTHY (12) put in a good effort fresh before unsuitably dropping back in trip last time out. Back up to a more suitable distance now and her figures stack up nicely in this field. Drawn nicely and a much-improved effort is expected. COUNT THE SESSIONS (11) just missed behind the top pick last time out and can sit much closer from a much better gate this time. Third-up record isn't strong but everything points to a forward showing. WAR GEM (5) was only fair last time out but is better than he produced that day. Can bounce back in this suitable race. STARRING KNIGHT (2) is ticking along nicely and merits plenty of respect.

RACE 3 - HANG GLIDER (6) shot away to score impressively first-up over this course and distance. He hasn't been smacked by the handicappers for that win, only rising 1kg and although the draw is sticky, he'd only have to reproduce the fresh effort to be winning. ON THE FULL (5) turned in a bad one last time out but happy to forgive that effort as his form prior was good. Can roll to the front from a nice alley and take plenty of catching dropping back to a trip he's had success at previously. BONNIE LAD (7) was a little plain at Bunbury last time out after running on behind Hang Glider two starts ago. CJP hops back on board and If he can jump cleanly this time he'll be right in the finish. SCENIC ECLIPSE (9) comes through the same race and carries less weight this time. Better than she showed last start and can bounce back. DOUBLE SPICE (1) has been knocking on the door of late and comes through a hot form race.

RACE 4 - We'll get a good guide to the form of DEMOLISH (6) in Race 2 as he ran on strongly to just miss last start. Wide draw doesn't matter as he usually settles back anyway and the rise in trip can see him go to another level. MOUNTAIN ASH (7) was narrowly beaten as favourite here a fortnight ago when jumping favourite over the mile. Should roll across and lead once again with 2kg coming off for Luke Campbell. Going along nicely and can go one better this time. HOLY ENCHANTMENT (5) resumed with a good win when running over the top of Mountain Ash and should strip fitter for that effort. Draws nicely and is sure to be on a Perth Cup path once more. Wouldn't surprise to see him go back-to-back. MEGAMI (11) stuck on well last time out and draws the best gate she's seen for some time. Drops in weight and can race into the finish. DESENNEA (8) is chasing the hat-trick and must be included.

RACE 5 - Always an open race the Regional Championship, but happy to side with the winning form of MUNGO JERRY (2) with Pike hopping on board. Won the Kalgoorlie heat in fine style which rates highly amongst his rivals. Tricky draw but can scoot across and prove very hard to run down. LUCKEE FLORAN (13) jumped favourite in the Geraldton heat but finished 1.6L away. Assume he's been targeted at this and despite just a plain effort last start, he's expected to be at his best this time which should see him right in the thick of things. HIGH PRESSURE (11) ran well behind Mungo Jerry last time out and does meet him better at the weights. The 1.5kg claim comes in handy and he's not to be discounted. CABLE BOY (3) won the Albany heat only 13 days ago and has won 2/5 second-up. Will be storming over the top at the finish. LOOKS (10) jumped favourite in that heat and has his hoof on the till. His best would see him go close.

RACE 6 - IMA SINGLE GAL (13) is looking for the hat-trick after leading all of the way to score by 0.3L over 1200m last time out. Steps out in trip which is an unknown, but she's drawn well with a drop in weight and is sure to take plenty of catching. SAN FABRIZIO (3) ran on well fresh when beaten 1L over this track and trip. Suspect similar tactics will be adopted from a wide alley and confidence is added with Oliver in the irons. Sure to be finishing strongly. BELGRANO BELLE (2) found one better over this course and distance last time out and drops slightly in weight for this event today. Pike sticks from a favourable alley and there's no reason why she can't go one better this time. HERE FOR CHEQUES (6) did well last start from an awkward alley and things look to set up much better for him this time. BLAZING TYCOON (1) should appreciate stepping out to 1400m again and won't be far away.

RACE 7 - INVESTMENTSTRATEGY (1) wasn't far away in the WA Guineas last week and drops back to the 1400m where he was a good winner of the Fairetha. Drawn to get a nice run once again and can bounce back in what looks a suitable assignment. MISS ROCKJOY (8) ran on strongly behind Keshi Boom in the Champion Fillies and drops back in trip for this. Right down in the weights due to the conditions of the race. Will be rocketing home late. AUGMENT (5) stuck on well in the Placid Ark when only 0.8L behind the winner. Did have a dream run in transit there and now rises to 1400m. Drawn to get a beautiful run once again and can show her class in a suitable assignment. STORMCHASER (3) could be one to jump out of the ground. Big win at Bunbury first-up and looks to have plenty more to come. GENEROSITY (7) is ticking along nicely and won't be far away.

RACE 8 - DUCHESS OF GOSSIP (7) didn't have the best of luck in the Jungle Mist when jumping favourite, having to wait on a run down along the inside before flashing late. May be able to settle a touch closer with the rise in trip this time and if she gets the breaks, she's sure to take plenty of beating. AMBER GLIDE (5) won the Jungle Mist in good fashion when getting into the clear and storming over the top. She's won 4/5 at this trip and suspect she can be finishing right over the top of them once again. GODDESS OF GIVING (3) has had trouble drawing a gate which has cruelled her chances of late. This filly is low flying of late and although she'll get back once again, she can be finishing strongly. BABY PARIS (1) had no luck when caught wide in the Jungle Mist and a better run is expected here. RUSTY DREAMS (4) should appreciate the rise in trip and is not to be discounted.

RACE 9 - The feature of the day, the G1 Winterbottom Stakes, and although OVERPASS (1) failed in The Everest, he can bounce back this time. Nice trial and a freshen since and he has enough pace to burn across from the outside draw. Rates clear on his rivals and if he can run up to his Shorts or Quokka win, that would see him scoring. TRIPLE MISSILE (8) has been good running on down the straight and may be able to settle a touch closer with Oliver on from an inside alley. Not beaten far in the Rising Fast and if he can go to another level this time he'll make his presence felt. SNOWDOME (7) scored a tough win in the Prince Of Wales and should be fitter for that. Goes well second-up and although the draw is some concern, he can feature with any improvement. RIPCORD (15) was the talk of the town after his Placid Ark win and the figures back that performance up. Include. MY BELLA MAE (13) has been luckless this campaign and won't be far away if things go her way.

RACE 10 - Nothing went right for BITOFMERIT (2) in the Colonel Reeves last start and faces a suitable assignment this time round. Back in grade and a nice barrier both read well. Ticking along nicely and can get back into the winners' stall. SALOON BAR (9) had absolutely no luck last week when strung up for a run down along the inside. He'll appreciate getting away from the rail this time as he drops sharply in weight. Going well and can get the job done this time. CORN COB (4) resumes with a nice trial under his belt and has won 4 races over this trip previously. Was nommed in the Winterbottom so the stable must think he's going well. Lines up in this more suitable race though and can play a major role. CAN'T BE DONE (6) held on for a good win last time out and will carry the same weight after the claim of Campbell. Must be included. UPPER LIMITS (12) boasts a strong fresh record and is not to be discounted.