Track: Heavy 8 Weather: Showers

There is a field of 12 runners for the 2024 Ascot Green Lough Neagh Stakes with 8 geldings and 4 fillies. There are two 4YOs, four 5YOs, three 6YOs, two 7YOs and an 8YO. Three runners had their last start in the Listed Recognition Stakes over 1350m at Doomben on 27th November (won by Oughton) and two in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes over 1200m at Doomben on 30th November (won by Hidden Wealth) while the rest came via different races. Trainer Robert Heathcote has two runners.

The early favourite is Abounding who won the Listed Tattersall’s Classic when resuming from a spell. Second favourite is Midnight In Tokyo who was 3rd in the Recognition Stakes last start after being bumped at the start then over-racing. Third favourite is Prince Of Boom who resumed for 3rd in the George Moore Stakes. Cifrado was runner up in the George Moore. Strait Acer has been disappointing at all 3 runs this campaign, while Oughton won the Recognition Stakes last start. The other runners are currently $12 or longer.

1. Cifrado (12)

Runner up in the Group 3 George Moore Stakes over 1200m at Doomben last start. In the mix​

2. Prince Of Boom (4)

Resumed for 3rd in the George Moore Stakes. Can be in the finish.

3. Royal Merchant (1)

Drawn the inside barrier. Winded late in the Group 2 The Hunter last start. Place chance.

4. Oughton (7)

Won the Listed Recognition Stakes over 1350m at Doomben last start. Should run well again.

5. Strait Acer (11)

Has been disappointing at all 3 runs this campaign. Prefer others.

6. Namazu (6)

Resumes from a 19 week spell. Not keen.

7. Ovidius (5)

Last start winner at Doomben on a heavy 10. Place chance.

8. The Drover (2)

The oldest runner in the race this year. Nicely drawn and a rough place chance.

9. American President (10)

This looks too hard.

10. Abounding (8)

Won the Listed Tattersall’s Classic when resuming from a 21 week spell. Strong chance.​

11. Midnight In Tokyo (9)

Was 3rd in the Recognition Stakes last start after being bumped at the start then over-racing. Can get into the money.

12. Gently Rolled (3)

Unlikely.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips
10 Abounding
2 Prince Of Boom
1 Cifrado
4 Oughton

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Cifrado
2nd	2 Prince Of Boom	2.22 lengths
3rd	5 Strait Acer	3.62 lengths
4th	8 The Drover	4.67 lengths

The track was rated as Heavy 10.

Scratchings: 4. Oughton, 6. Namazu, 9. American President, 10. Abounding.