Martin Dixon's Inside Angle: 33-1 Ascot tip and more

I don't think there's an outstanding two-year-old colt in the sprint division taking their chance in the opening race at Ascot on Saturday, so I'm going to take a chance on Oakford at a big price. He's available at 33-1, at the time of writing.

Roger Teal's colt returned from a summer break to win easily at Newbury on his latest start, and in a pretty good time. It was such a dominant performance that I think there's going to be more to come from him.

He's got the highest draw, which might end up being an advantage. When they raced at Ascot a couple of weeks ago, the higher numbers were definitely favoured, so there's definitely a chance that works in his favour.

He's an unexposed, improving colt with lots of speed, and I think he's worth chancing each-way at a big price here.

It's understandable that the two three-year-olds, Gstaad and Talk Of New York, head the market for this year's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but I'm willing to take a pop each-way at a bigger price with More Thunder for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.

He has been very consistent since joining the Haggas yard at the start of the 2025 season, and he has a particularly good record on straight tracks in strongly-run races. He's a contender who takes a lot of winding up in his races, so a high tempo and a straight track with a stiff finish are his absolute optimum. He gets those conditions on Saturday, and he was back to his very best when winning the Park Stakes at Doncaster last time out.

This shouldn't be overly tactical, which should see him in his best light, and I'd expect him to at least give you a good run for your money if you back him each-way.

Misunderstood has burnt a few fingers of late, having been a beaten favourite on each of his past three starts, but there's no doubt he's well-handicapped off a mark of 79, and I think the setup of this race could be perfect for him.

From stall two, he should get a good position just in behind what is likely to be a very strong pace, with the likes of Von Trotter, Eagle Bay and Brighton Boy in opposition, and I think the turning nature of the track at Catterick will really play to his strengths.Jason Hart is back on board, and he rode him when he was beaten in a photo finish at Thirsk last month, and was edged out that day by Andesite, who followed up next time out. 

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