Falbrav stakes his reputation

Ascot previewFalbrav can confirm himself as a truly outstanding colt with victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot today.

Luca Cumani's five-year-old has already bagged three Group One prizes this season, and could well get a fourth on appeal as his connections are desperately unhappy he wasn't awarded the Irish Champion Stakes after appearing to hampered by winner High Chaparral in the final furlong.

The Fairy King colt has never won over a mile but travels well in his races and has an exceptional turn of foot.

His participation has come as a bit of a surprise, but Cumani is far too shrewd a customer to have asked the owners to fork out the approximately £25,000 it cost to add him to the field without being sure he will be fully effective at this trip.

The one thing that is considered essential for him, though, is fast ground. Some rain is forecast at the Berkshire track, but not a great deal, so he should get his favoured conditions.

Falbrav must be hard to beat with doubts surrounding Dubai Destination, who flopped badly in France last time, and Russian Rhythm, who may well be in season.

Punctilious can take the honours in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile. The Michael Jarvis-trained juvenile has done nothing wrong in her two starts, making all on her last outing to account for previous - and subsequent - winner Fantastic View in comfortable fashion.

This is a step up in class, but her trainer has a strong hand in the two-year-old department this season and the daughter of Danehill looks as good as any of them.

Lafi can finally bag a big prize by taking the £70,000 Tote Trifecta Handicap. He ran a race full of promise when a slightly unlucky third in a well-contested handicap at Sandown in July.

But he flopped badly next time out in a much weaker event at Newcastle, although the winner, Quito, has gone on to land the Ayr Gold Cup.

Nothing came to light to explain that run but he bounced back when showing a nice turn of foot to take a class C handicap back at Sandown. Lafi's not had much racing at all for a four-year-old but clearly has the talent.

Airwave should prove too classy for her rivals in the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Diadem Stakes. Henry Candy's filly has perhaps not quite lived up to expectations this season but has been mixing it with the very best, and the drop down to Group Two company tomorrow offers her a winning opportunity.

Aidan O'Brien was mob-handed at the five-day stage for the Hackney Empire Royal Lodge Stakes. But he has opted to rely on just Moscow Ballet and the hint should be taken.

The Sadler's Wells colt has had just the one run to date, beating Favourite Nation by three-quarters of a length at Tipperary.

Ascot also race tomorrow and Trust Rule can follow up a cosy York victory by taking the Seabiscuit Stakes.

Ettrick Water can complete a hat-trick in the Tote Mile Final (Handicap). He goes to Ascot in the form of his life after making all to score at Bath, and then at Hamilton three weeks ago he defeated Ben Hur by three-quarters of a length.