Ascot Betting Tips for April 27 Meeting

We've got six rather interesting races set to unfold today at Ascot Racecourse and we'll be taking a look at all of them in an effort to build up a little bankroll to play with on Guineas day. There are several enticing contests unfolding at Ascot with the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes looking to be the feature on the day amongst a number of handicaps, listed and conditions races.

2:00 Aldermore Conditions Stakes

This5f dash only has a field five-deep though it boasts a sole first-time starter. Several of these promising-looking individuals already have a debut win under their belt with Dawn Lightning (Dawn Angel) set to run for the third time. It took her two tries to get the maiden score against lesser company than what she finds here. The key contender appears to be co-top-weight Magic City (Elusive City) who made a smashing debut at Nebwury when taking on a hefty field of 14 to win comfortably. Richard Hughes will remain in the irons for this one and, though I don't foresee a titanic price, I think he's likely the one to find the line first.

The Penny Horse (One Cool Cat) hasn't done much wrong but the maiden score there doesn't quite match up to Magic City's prominence. Doesn't look the best betting race but should get us off to an easy victory should Magic City replicate anything close to that debut.

2:30 X Factor EBF Stakes

F This conditions contest for three-year-old fillies has seven contenders going 1m. Metropolitan Miss (Bertolini) is set for her second lifetime start and goes off as one of the lower weights. Juddmonte contender Flood Plain (Orpen) is unraced since coming in dead-last in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Churchill Downs last year and she is set for her seasonal debut here. She scored a win in her first race at Div II level against fillies and then ran second in a listed contest prior to the unsuccessful run in the USA, where she just didn't fire and was tailed off having raced at the back the entire time.

Byrony (Byron) has been out a few times in her career and completely failed in her previous attempt at Ascot running the worst race of her career. She's been able to score four wins in eight races so she certainly deserves respect but you wonder whether she can run against some of the contenders here coming in laid-off since October. Hezmah (Oasis Dream) looked good in her only race and boasts solid connections but Flood Plain looks to have the most to prove here and should enjoy the sharp drop in class.

3:05 Britain's Got Talent Paradise Stakes

City Leader (Fasliyev) gets a drop down in class to a listed level after being run at Group 1 and 2 level in the past. Unraced in 2010, the six-year-old has not been seen since coming in fourth in a Group 1 contest at Capannelle. He finished fifth to Twice Over (Observatory) in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket back in 2009 and second to him back in 2008 at Maissoneuve in a Group 2 race. It will be interesting to see if he runs his race and can deal with some of the talent on offer here.

Juddmonte saddle Zacinto (Dansili) and Critical Moment (Aptitude) for this one with Zacinto looking likely to get back on track here if he runs to his best. The Group 2 winner captured the Celebration Mile back in 2009 and has run against the best of the best since then with no genuine success.

Those looking for a genuine spoiler would do well to back Eton Forever (Oratorio) who showed some versatility capturing a handicap contest last time out on a seasonal debut and could be set to progress here. Look for him to go off at a very solid price.

3:40 Totepool Sagaro Stakes

This Group 3 contest has several accomplished contenders set to slug it out over a lengthy distance of ground. With a full 2m to be tackled, one might see a prominent run here as a potential nod towards the Melbourne Cup. The Queen saddles Free Agent (Dr Fong) - who has won at listed level but lost on a seasonal debut to the Betchworth Kid (Tobougg).

Group 2 winner Akmal (Selkirk) lines up in this one as well and he was also beaten on the day by the Betchworth Kid. If he runs to potential he can easily beat anybody in the race but it's just a matter of form right now for the Shadwell-bred.

The Betchworth Kid looks solid from both a ratings and form standpoint with no questions out there about his ability to handle the quirky staying distance. He still had plenty left in the tank and he ran on supremely well in the final furlong or two – that shows the benefit of having had several runs under his belt already this season. Adding a mere two panels of ground this time doesn't take the race away from him in any way and you can expect a similar approach this time. He could be set to improve off that performance.

4:15 Cleanevent Pavilion Stakes

This is a Class 1 6f Sprint for some very talented-looking three-year-olds. There are a number who have been there-or-thereabouts but no real standout in this field. Hayley Turner saddles the classy Margot Did (Exceed and Excel) who is Group 2-placed but has never scored at Group or Listed level. She looks alright from a ratings standpoint but will be looking to improve over some of her last performances. Madany (Acclamation) gets the nod in this one for the Hamdan Al Maktoum barn as she ran a credible second in her seasonal debut this year and could be set to improve off of that. This would be a big win for her and she should deliver a quality price.

4:50 Ascot Racecourse Handicap

The nightcap features a tricky handicap where a 20-strong field can expect a tough 1m contest. Lord Aeryn (Antonius Pius) must navigate a relatively high weight but he looked really good scoring against a field of 15 in his seasonal tip at Doncaster. He should be able to handle the extra panel here in the step up to 1m but it should be noted that he has never scored at the distance.

Rezwaan (Alhaarth) has been running on the all weather circuit for much of the year and has run 113 in his three efforts this year. Look for him to make a big statement here about his intentions for his four-year-old season, while getting nearly a stone on the top weights.