Al Khaleej

Al Khaleej steps up in class to tackle the £85,000 totesport Victoria Cup at Ascot.

Ed Dunlop's charge ran out an impressive winner under hands and heels at Kempton on his seasonal reappearance to earn a shot at this valuable seven-furlong prize.

Bruce Raymond, racing director for Rabbah Bloodstock, told www.rabbahbloodstock.com: "Al Khaleej goes to Ascot with a very good chance. He made a pleasing seasonal debut at Kempton and is entitled to have benefited for that."

He added: "He has the profile of an improving horse and let's hope he continues to justify Ed Dunlop's faith in him."

Among his rivals will be the progressive King Of Dixie, We'll Come from Michael Jarvis' yard and the Barry Hills-trained Zaahid.

Glasgow-based trainer Jim Goldie will rely solely on Middlemarch after stablemate Dhaular Dhar was declared a doubtful runner.

"Middlemarch is in (stall) five, which is probably quite good," Goldie said.

"He won the ladies' race that used to be the Diamond over this course and distance last year so he obviously likes the place.

"He has practically no weight to carry either so it'll be interesting."