HIDDEN ACE CAN COME UP TRUMPS

Andy Ayres casts an eye over the paddocks after last month’s track action

- Andy Ayres

KEMPTON November 20 (standard to slow) 1m handicap (Class 2)

Race that will produce winners COGITATE (Charles Hills) has been in the wilderness for longer than Ray Mears but looked in tremendous nick and bounced back to finish a rock-solid fourth. This was a step in the right direction, and he's nailed on to win decent handicaps.

7f two-year-old maiden (Class 2) Useful form

SPIRIT OF ALBION (Amanda Perrett) was a strong racecourse whisper despite starting at 40-1. The lucky punters who backed this good-looking gelding each-way copped a tidy payday when he finished second, and connections should place him to advantage in run-of-the-mill handicaps. TEROOMM (Roger Varian) has got muscles on his eyebrows and was just about the paddock pick. He got stuck behind the eight-ball after fluffing the start and ran a blinder to finish fourth. Improvement is guaranteed, and he looks above average.

LINGFIELD November 21 (standard) 1m2f two-year-old maiden (Class 4) Fair form

SECRET FORCE (Charlie Appleby) looked raw in the prelims and drifted like the Kon Tiki (7-4 to 4s). He grabbed a few eyes running on late to finish sixth and will be more competitive next time.

7f two-year-old novice (Class 5) Ordinary form DIOS DE LA GUERRA (Simon Dow) wasn't wound up for this debut but attracted crafty late support (14s to 17-2).

He never threatened, but connections were far from downbeat, and he could pop up at a tasty price on the all-weather this winter.

ASCOT November 22 (good) 2m3f110y Grade 2 hurdle (Class 1) Messy race

GOLDEN ACE (Jeremy Scott) couldn't have looked any better but spoiled her chance by pulling harder than Steamboat Willie. She ran out of gas after the last but will be sharper for this and is one to note in top class company back against her own sex.