Chivalry would be a fitting and poignant winner of the inaugural running of the Graham Rock Memorial Handicap at Pontefract tomorrow.
The Sir Mark Prescott-trained three-year-old, winner of all his four races this season, was formerly part-owned by renowned racing journalist Rock, who died last autumn.
Rock, the first editor of the Racing Post, owned the Prescott-trained Pasternak, winner of the John Smith's Cup at York and the Tote Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket.
His widow Joan Rock, who owns a share in Chivalry, will be at Pontefract tomorrow and could find that she is both the presenter and receiver of the winning prizes.
Chivalry has every chance of completing a five-timer in the race in Graham Rock's memory.
The promising Monsieur Bond, runner-up to Somnus on his debut at York, is awarded my Nap vote in the De Lacy Maiden Stakes.
The feature race at Ascot is the £80,000 Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint Handicap, in which I fancy Salviati to scoop the pool for sprint specialist Milton Bradley.
Narrowly beaten in the Gosforth Park Cup at Newcastle last month, Salviati did not appreciate turning out again two days later at Doncaster and finished unplaced.
Given a break since, he should be freshened-up sufficiently to play a leading role in this five furlongs dash.
Tomorrow's tips:
Ascot: 2.10 Epicentre, 2.40 Edmo Yewkay, 3.10 Salviati, 3.45 Anoof, 4.20 Playback, 4.55 Indian Plume
Pontefract: 2.15 Monsieur Bond (Nap), 2.45 Team-Mate, 3.15 Chivalry, 3.50 Stretton, 4.25 Parkside Pursuit, 5.00 Dryden House, 5.30 William's Well.
Newmarket: 2.05 Desert Destiny, 2.35 Desert City, 3.05 Muwassi, 3.40 Goodwood Prince, 4.15 Sun Bird, 4.45 Mamcazma.
Updated: 11:45 Saturday, July 27, 2002
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