What are the best bets at Ascot on Sunday?

2:25  ABF Soldiers´ Charity Nursery 7f 
Richard Hannon saddles the likely favourite in Custom House, who opened his account in a Kempton maiden earlier this month. He should go well again but the runner-up that day, the well-backed BUCKLAND, is weighted to get his revenge on 3lb better terms for a length beating. It will be a close between the pair and this is by no means a two-horse-race but Buckland, who will be sporting blinkers for the first time and will have the assistance of Kieren Fallon in the saddle, looks the most likely winner.

3:00  PwC Handicap 1m4f 
This is a tight looking handicap and a chance of sorts can be given to all nine runners. The early betting has Sir Michael Stoute's The Fonz as favourite and he should make a bold bid despite a 5lb penalty for his York win last time. The concern would be the ground, though, as he has done all his winning on faster ground than he's going to encounter here. One horse who mind the conditions is MAGICALMYSTERYTOUR, who bounced back to winning ways at Newmarket last month and has run two solid races in defeat since. The title-chasing Richard Hughes is an eye-catching booking.

3:35  SIS Live Fenwolf Stakes (Listed Race) 2m 
With Motrice a doubtful runner, this looks a good opportunity for TASTAHIL to get his head in front for the first time this season. Barry Hills' six-year-old has run some good races in defeat, including last time out in the Doncaster Cup when second to the classy Samuel. He was also second in the Chester Cup in May on soft ground, which is just about the best piece of form on offer, and he seems to go particularly well for today's rider Richard Hills.

4:10  Grosvenor Casinos Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3) 1m4f 
In Paktai's absence, Laaheb will be all the rage with conditions in his favour. Michael Jarvis' runner is two from two over today's trip and has the best form on offer after beating Queen's Vase winner Holberg in a Group 3 last time. However, the stable has had more than it's fair share of short-priced runners turned over recently and I'd rather take a chance on MONITOR CLOSELY coming back to form at much bigger odds. Last year's St Leger third has been caught flat-footed in sprint finishes while running well on his last two starts over shorter distances, and will appreciate the step in trip and Ascot's stiff uphill finish.

4:45  John Guest Diadem Stakes (Group 2) 6f
Lady Of The Desert won a Group 3 over course and distance last term and, after being campaigned unsuccessfully over further earlier this season, proved sprinting was her game when an excellent to Markab in Haydock's Sprint Cup. However, she's undoubtedly a better horse on fast ground and for that reason the French-trained DALGHAR is preferred. He too has been campaigned over further, winning a Group 3 over 7f at Longchamp, but the speed he showed when third in the Betfair Cup two starts back suggests he could be a serious horse over 6f and the stiff uphill finish is in his favour.

Selections:-

2.25 Buckland
3.00 Magicalmysterytour
3.35 Tastahil (NAP)
4.10 Monitor Closely
4.45 Dalghar (NEXT BEST)