Arctic Thunder ready to rumble at Ascot

Arctic Thunder is seeking a hat-trick in the Ascot Hospitality Handicap on Friday.

The Night Of Thunder gelding shows his best form on quicker ground and has relished the step up in trip to 1600m.

The Ed Walker-trained five-year-old finished in midfield on his first go over 1600m on the all-weather at Kempton but it was when he switched back to turf on good ground that he has excelled.

He was mightily impressive in a Salisbury handicap in July, trouncing the four-runner field by 7 lengths and was doing his best work at the business end of the race.

He followed up last month with an equally impressive victory in a stronger event, coming home 2.5-lengths clear of Inspired.

Those two victories have seen him raised by 15lb but with Ashley Lewis taking off a valuable 5lb he can again get his nose in front.

Simon and Ed Crisford’s Pure Mint can maintain the perfect start to his career in the Juddmonte EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.

The Minzaal juvenile caught the eye on debut at Ripon when he coasted to a 4.5-length success in July.

He was meant to step up to Listed level on Monday over course and distance in the British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion Two Yrs Old Trophy Stakes before he was declared a non-runner due to unsuitable ground.

Pure Mint heads south for faster conditions and that winning experience should be the difference between him and the rest.

Chymbulak will aim to step out of the shadows of Charyn with a victory at the second attempt in the Charbonnel Et Walker EBF Maiden Stakes.

Roger Varian’s stalwart won at the top level at Ascot and Deauville before his retirement in November 2024, and his younger full-brother should build on his second on debut.

He does have some work to do after finishing 5.5-lengths behind the winner, but Chymbulak attempts turf for the first time which could aid his chances.

Clarity can make experience count in the Ascot Events EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

She was only beaten 0.5-lengths by Siena Storm on her last outing at Salisbury but showed fight to rally late on after being headed.

One of only three runners to have experienced the racecourse in the 11-runner field she can strike at the fourth time of asking.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Gilding The Lily can win again in the Irish EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Kempton.

Owned by Godolphin, the daughter of Blue Point was a neck second on debut before prevailing in a three-runner contest at Newmarket.

Elated has been a consistent sort and should finally get her head in front for Ben Pauling in the John Burke Mares’ Maiden Hurdle at Worcester.

The lightly-raced five-year-old began her career with three thirds and a runner-up spot before falling at the last when sitting 2 lengths behind the leader on her latest appearance over course and distance. – Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

HAYDOCK: Race 1: 14.30 Zimmerman, Race 2: 15.05 Girl Scout, Race 3: 15.40 Californian Angel, Race 4: 16.15 Wild Clary, Race 5: 16.47 Lipsink, Race 6: 17.20 Clementines Star, Race 7: 17.53 Tortured Soul.

BANGOR: Race 1: 14.40 Hoe Joly Smoke, Race 2: 15.15 Delgany Second Now, Race 3: 15.50 Thickthorn Tom, Race 4: 16.25 Secret Trix, Race 5: 17.00 Prettylady, Race 6: 17.35 Limerick Leader, Race 7: 18.10 Ballynoe Boy.

ASCOT: Race 1: 14.55 Tex, Race 2: 15.30 Chymbulak, Race 3: 16.05 Clarity, Race 4: 16.40 Pure Mint, Race 5: 17.15 Aalto, Race 6: 17.48 ARCTIC THUNDER (NAP), Race 7: 18.25 Hambelton.

WORCESTER: Race 1: 17.30 Jet Smart, Race 2: 18.03 Holy Legend, Race 3: 18.36 Brave Lion, Race 4: 19.06 Elated, Race 5: 19.36 Emerald Time, Race 6: 20.06 That’s Nice, Race 7: 20.36 Jullou De Grissay.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.21 Hidden Beyond, Race 2: 18.54 Huwa Baree, Race 3: 19.24 Gilding The Lily, Race 4: 19.54 Go Rimbaud, Race 5: 20.24 Philanthropist, Race 6: 20.54 Rage Of Thunder, Race 7: 21.24 Educator.

ALL TO COME: Arctic Thunder (Ascot, Race 6) and Gilding The Lily (Kempton, Race 3).