London Clubs International Stakes at Ascot (friday)

For a horse so inexperienced, Easy Air has run cracking races in extremely competitive handicaps the last twice, and is poised for compensation in the London Clubs International Stakes at Ascot on Friday. Ed Dunlop's charge chased home a Group-class horse in the making when running Sir Gerard to two lengths in the Britannia Stakes at the Royal meeting over course and distance on his penultimate start before faring best of those drawn low when coming home over four lengths fifth of 19 behind Mine in the seven-furlong Bunbury Cup at Newmarket's July meeting. That was a fine effort from the son of Zafonic, and back against his own age group and over his optimum trip, on ground which clearly suits, he rates a must-bet at 4/1 with bet365. The clear danger is the unexposed John Gosden charge, Royal Oath, who made mincemeat of a bunch of in-form rivals on the all-weather at Lingfield where he quickly recovered after a slow start to readily beat Mina A Salem by three lengths. Needless to say, he's open to any amount of improvement so an 8lb rise is far from prohibitive. However, in a field of this quality, and taking on a horse with form as strong as Easy Air's, I don't think the son of Kingmambo deserves to be as short as 5/2. Indeed, this is a high-class handicap and I wouldn't be taking such a short price about a horse that has so much to prove. One with genuine credentials if he puts his best foot forward is the Willie Haggas-trained Military Cross, although his propensity to hang left under pressure remains a concern. His run in the Britannia is best forgotten as he was badly hampered, but in each of his starts on either side of that the hanging issue was in evidence. Ordnance Row prefers softer going and has a lengthy absence to overcome, therefore the pick of the remainder could Dunelight, who lost no caste in defeat when chasing home Dark Islander in a competitive heat at Newmarket last time out. Clive Cox's three-year-old should be in the shake-up, but I reckon that he'll find at least one or two good, especially off his current mark, which looks a shade stiff for what he has actually achieved. 1pt Easy Air @ 4/1 (bet365)