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Turn to Appleby for Ascot winner

Written by Press Association | Jul 25, 2025 7:24:59 AM

Time To Turn can reverse previous form with A Bit Of Spirit in the Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot on Friday.

Charlie Appleby's charge suffered odds-on defeats on his first two outings, being beaten by stablemate and subsequent Woodcote victor Maximized on the first occasion before finding A Bit Of Spirit just a head too good at the second ask.

Both horses have since gone on to win and it was hard not to be impressed with Time To Turn's 10-length romp at Wolverhampton last month, although his 1-10 odds illustrated quite how much of a cut above his rivals he was.

The pair meet again over 1400m rather than 1200m and preference is just for the Godolphin runner as he seemed to really improve for moving up in trip.

Pinhole takes a drop in company for the Royal Ascot Winning Breeders' Handicap.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute last season, he was thought good enough to be tried in a Derby trial following a Southwell novice win back in December, but Ralph Beckett found him falling short by some distance against subsequent dual Derby winner Lambourn.

Not to be discouraged, Beckett gave him another shot in Group company in the Queen's Vase at last month's Royal meeting but he never looked like justifying his status as a 4-1 joint-favourite.

Back to 2400m and lining up on a starting mark of 98, this is a stiff enough test but Pinhole might find it more his speed.

Blindedbythelights has finished second in his last two starts but his moment in the spotlight can come in the John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap.

Edged out by just a short head in a decent contest at Newmarket's Guineas meeting in May, he then just lost out at Chelmsford when upped to 3200m for the first time.

That staying trip seemed to suit and while he must shoulder a hefty burden here, he might still have something up his sleeve.

Victory Queen can ensure Appleby and Godolphin are also among the winners at York.

She contests the British EBF Lyric Fillies' Stakes having had to settle for fourth at Sandown when first tried at this Listed level.

Racing over 1600m, Victory Queen did not have the required change of pace but the way she kept on suggests this half-sister to Classic winner Coroebus is ready to move up to 2000m now.

Ellusive Butterfly is the choice in the Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.

She has yet to get her head in front in two starts but was third in a French Listed heat, which stands her in good stead here.

Killavia is another to be eased in grade in Sandown's Chasemore Farm EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Rod Millman's runner came up against a couple of good rivals in her first two runs before taking a creditable third in the Listed Dragon Stakes at odds of 33-1.

She did not enjoy the clearest of runs that day either, so her 2.25-length defeat can be upgraded. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 6 UK meetings today. Here are the tips

UTTOXETER: Race 1: 14.30 Jentobello, Race 2: 15.02 Drombeg Lad, Race 3: 15.37 Cave Article, Race 4: 16.12 Papa Barns, Race 5: 16.47 Manowest, Race 6: 17.23 Rockola, Race 7: 17.58 Ballywilliam Boy, Race 8: 18.35 Masked Mistress.

ASCOT: Race 1: 14.50 Ravishing, Race 2: 15.25 TIME TO TURN (NAP), Race 3: 16.00 Blindedbythelights, Race 4: 16.35 Pinhole, Race 5: 17.10 Thurso, Race 6: 17.45 Fantasy Obsessor.

THIRSK: Race 1: 15.15 Conjecture, Race 2: 15.50 Go Victor, Race 3: 16.25 Maw Can, Race 4: 17.00 Purple Martini, Race 5: 17.35 Idyllic, Race 6: 18.10 Ninety Nine.

CHEPSTOW: Race 1: 18.15 Johnjay, Race 2: 18.50 Lady Lauren, Race 3: 19.25 Magic Stone, Race 4: 20.00 Roach Power, Race 5: 20.35 Hostelry, Race 6: 21.10 Scenario, Race 7: 21.45 Racing Demon.

YORK: Race 1: 18.30 Commander Of Life, Race 2: 19.03 Molten Sea, Race 3: 19.38 Ellusive Butterfly, Race 4: 20.13 Filly One, Race 5: 20.48 Victory Queen, Race 6: 21.23 I'm Next.

SANDOWN: Race 1: 18.45 Foreseen, Race 2: 19.18 Killavia, Race 3: 19.53 Calvert, Race 4: 20.28 Neardown, Race 5: 21.03 Enough Already, Race 6: 21.38 Princess Amber.

ALL TO COME: Time To Turn (Ascot, Race 2) and Victory Queen (York, Race 5).