Ascot

The key factor may well be whether CRANACHAN (nap) goes into the stalls. He would have started favourite for a much more valuable race than this had he done so three weeks ago at Chester, which had been the scene of his fairly spectacular emergence as a stayer in August. Performances earlier this season on good and good to firm going give some encouragement for his prospects back on firmer ground today. Four of his rivals have been competitive for the most part recently and Shipshape may be the pick of them.[Richard Austen]