Charlie Egerton's Empire Park comes into this on a four-timer following victories at Worcester, Southwell and Newton Abbot. However a 7lb rise in the weights for his latest success leaves the son of Tragic Role with more to do in this company. Jonjo O'Neill's Prokofiev was expensive to follow last term and, although starting this season off a mark of 118, he still has not had much respite from the handicapper and may need dropping further. More solid claims are held by stablemate Young American, who should strip fitter for a recent reappearance at Chepstow, form on which he is tightly matched with Hawkes Run. However, the TEAMtalk selection is the topweight Facts Not Fiction. Trainer Francois Doumen regularly sends his runners to Ascot and, having had a pipe-opener at Auteuil earlier this month, the eight-year-old should be spot on for this. Racing off a 1lb lower mark than when last successful in this country, the selection is well treated and, with ground conditions to suit, he gets the nod.
