Talking Horses | Will Hayler | Sport | guardian.co.uk

Workforce in full flight at Goodwood. Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Today's TV races

Workforce (4.30) can exorcise the ghosts of last year's inglorious defeat by taking the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

On the strength of two solid, top-drawer performances this season, Workforce emphatically appears to be as good as he was last year when winning the Derby and Arc de Triomphe, and despite his comprehensive defeat in this race behind Harbinger, there are still fewer doubts about him than St Nicholas Abbey and Rewilding.

It must be a major concern to his backers that St Nicholas Abbey was clearly outpaced by Midday in the Coronation Cup before rallying for victory. Positive tactics are the only hope for Joseph O'Brien.

Rewilding was impressive at Royal Ascot but has performed poorly on the back of good runs in the past and seems to need long breaks between his races to be seen at his best. Connections hope 5? weeks off will be enough to have him freshened back up, but I have major doubts.

York 2.00 Having come up against some decent rivals in maidens, Almond Branches got up in the last stride to break her duck last time and she will appreciate the likely gallop.

Newmarket 2.15 The handicapper has done his best to help Classic Punch, who took this contest last year, and he hinted at a return to form last time.

York 2.30 Considered good enough to take her chance at Royal Ascot last time, Creme Anglaise can show her true colours in this easier grade.

Ascot 2.40 Despite still showing signs of inexperience, Russelliana had some very smart fillies behind when second in the Cherry Hinton Stakes a fortnight ago. There is more to come.

Newmarket 2.45 Having thrived for the move up in trip to seven furlongs last time, Instance is an improving filly.

York 3.05 The worry for backers of Twice Over is that he is working as well as ever at home, but hasn't done it on the racecourse so far this season. The revitalised Class Is Class could prove safer.

Ascot 3.15 The handicapper has pushed Albaasil up 10lb, but he was an impressive winner of a strong handicap at Newmarket's July meeting, .

Newmarket 3.20 Irish raider The Reaper should have won against older rivals at Navan and looks handicapped to make amends against his own age group.

York 3.40 Forced wide throughout from a poor draw at Pontefract last time, this straight track should play more to Entitled's strengths.

Ascot 3.50 First home on the far side in this race last year, Imperial Guest is drawn against the stands' rail and may have the best of things.

Will Hayler's best bet

Mr Rainbow 3.30 Newcastle

Trainer Alan Swinbank has ended an abysmal losing run with four winners from his last dozen runners and it would be no surprise to see Mr Rainbow step up some way on the poor effort he produced for the stable last time out. He had previously emerged with credit when fifth in a hot Sandown handicap and seven furlongs on rain-softened ground this afternoon looks an ideal test.

Horse sense

Discovery Bay (1.30) has been laid out for a royal celebration on King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes day at Ascot today and the Queen's horse must be worth an each-way bet in the opening ladies' race. A free-going sort, he did not seem to appreciate being held up in the early stages of the race at York on his latest start, so expect to see him ridden more prominently this afternoon. The booking of the experienced Serena Brotherton is another obvious positive.

On the strength of some good homework, Pearl Charm (2.05) missed a conditions race at Newbury last week in favour of this better contest. The Hannon team have plenty to look forward to at Goodwood next week and a big run from this horse would give them greater confidence in the two-year-old contests. Harbour Watch, in particular, will be hard to beat whether he lines up in the Richmond or the Vintage Stakes.

The Stoute team are sweet on the chances of Albaasil (3.15), but at the opposite end of the weights Aerial Acclaim should not be ruled out for Clive Cox. He needed the run when second to Stage Attraction last month and was very unlucky subsequently at Sandown. A scopey type, he has still more to offer.

Seen and heard

Despite enjoying plenty of success in the last fortnight and remaining clear in his bid to retain the jockeys' championship title, Paul Hanagan has not been smiling very much on his trips to the track in recent days. But the rider insists he isn't being miserable. "To be honest, I had a horse smack me in the face a couple of weeks ago and I lost two or three teeth, or bits of teeth," he admitted. "It's not very pretty and I've been trying to keep my mouth closed as much as possible ever since." Hanagan hopes to visit the dentist as soon as his schedule allows for the much-needed repair work.

One of Flat racing's longest running and most high-profile sponsorships will come to an end next month as a result of the recent sale of the Tote. Since 1976, the Ebor Handicap at York has been sponsored by the Tote, during which time there have been a number of outstanding renewals, perhaps most memorably when Sea Pigeon famously lumped 10st to victory back in 1979 under Jonjo O'Neill. But confirmation is expected shortly that the race is to be known in future as the Betfred Ebor.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/jul/23/talking-horses-racing-tips

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