Ascot 4.55 10 The Establishment - 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 (all Bookies to 4th as 20 run and Ladbrokes / Coral and Skybet to 5th)

I like to try to find one in the big Ascot Handicaps that I feel confident to "nail my colours to"; as otherwise you can talk around half the field or more and just get plain confused. In this instance after a look at every runner the stand out was THE ESTABLISHMENT. He always looked a bit backward last season and whilst he has developed well physically, there seemed to be untapped potential. A recent wind operation paid an immediate benefit at Chepstow and I think that now the horse knows it can run "pain free" and fill its lungs that a mark of 78 could significantly under-estimate its potential handicap celling mark. It is lightly raced, tactically well drawn, likes to race prominently and with enhanced Odds will be disappointing if it is not placed at least.