TODAY'S LUCKY 15 From FRT -

CARRY THE FLAG 2.30 Ascot 9/4 – Carry the Flag is the deserved favourite for Saturday's opener, and it's easy to see why. This horse ran exceptionally well at the Curragh last time out and was only caught late. He was only beaten by Great Barrier Reef, and that form has been emphatically franked by its stablemate, who has subsequently been victorious in the 21-runner Coventry Stakes on Tuesday.

That is a good advertisement for Carry the Flag's ability, and if it can maintain that high standard, it will be very tough to beat. Wesley Ward's Ez Tina is a bit of an unknown here in the UK, but looked to have plenty of ability on debut in Canada.

AUSPICIOUS 4.40 Redcar 100/30 – AUSPICIOUS is enjoying a productive spell and looked better than the bare result when narrowly denied at Carlisle last time after not getting the smoothest passage. A previous C&D winner who remains in excellent form, I think he has a great chance to return to winning ways.

SAHARA KING 5.35 Ascot 9/2 – Evanesco is up in the weights after winning easily last time out, but that form has been franked, and it should be competitive in this field. On paper, Perisher looks to be second string for the Joseph O'Brien stable, but this horse has won its last two races, and the RPRs are heading in the right direction. Harmonics has been given an opening handicap mark of 97 and could be anything. Sahara King could still be slightly ahead of the handicapper, having caught the eye in a decent race last time out. It may not have won on the turf yet, but that elusive victory on the grass doesn't look too far away.

LEADENHALL 6.35 Nottingham 4/1 – LEADENHALL was successful over this C&D two starts ago and ran another sound race in a stronger York handicap last week. He met trouble at a crucial stage there and would likely have finished much closer with a clear run. Back in calmer company, I expect him to be a major player once again.

🏇TODAY'S LITTLE BEAUTY

TEN POUNDS 5:00 Ascot 10/1 each way – Binhareer is likely to be positioned towards the top of the betting having narrowly missed out in a competitive handicap at York last time out. Although it is now 14 pounds higher in the betting, it does appear to enjoy Ascot, which could be a bonus. Stablemate Realign produced a career-best effort at Carlisle last time out and could also be dangerous. Joey Ramsden's Ten Pounds is the selection, having finished third in this contest last season. This horse has been kept nice and busy recently and appeared to be returning to some sort of form last time out in a listed race at Carlisle. It has a good draw and shouldn't be too high in the weights.

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Enjoy, Chris