Foreign raiders have carried off most of the top British prizes this Flat season but Ask, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is fancied to strike a blow for the home team by landing the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (4.20) at Ascot today.

A late-maturing type, Ask suffered his only defeat last season when beaten a nose by Cloudy's Knight in the grade one Canadian International at Woodbine last October. Softer ground helped him to cope with a drop back to ten furlongs on his reappearance, when winning the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown Park, but he was taken off his feet on a much firmer surface when fifth to Duke Of Marmalade in the Prince of Wales's Stakes here last month.

That only tells half the story, though, as he was squeezed for room two furlongs out there and looked set to drop right out before finding his stride again and finishing strongly. This return to a mile and a half is much in his favour and it is encouraging that Ryan Moore has chosen to ride him in preference to stablemate Papal Bull. At 12-1 with totesport and William Hill, he is a fair each-way bet.

Aidan O'Brien has already landed 13 group one successes this season and obviously has a good chance to add to that remarkable tally with his three runners headed by the odds-on favourite, Duke Of Marmalade. The latter has won all three starts this season - each in the highest grade - in increasingly impressive fashion and showed a high cruising speed and fine turn of foot to beat Phoenix Tower by four lengths at the royal meeting. However, this step up in trip is far from certain to suit and he may be found wanting in the closing stages.

Macarthur, also from the O'Brien stable, looks sure to go well. He was given an overly aggressive ride when third to Soldier Of Fortune in the Coronation Cup at Epsom and then did well to catch Multidimensional in the Hardwicke Stakes over this course and distance last month after the runner-up had poached a useful advantage entering the home straight.

Others with claims in an intriguing renewal are Youmzain, runner-up in both this race and the Arc last season, and Lucarno, last year's St Leger winner who made all the running to beat Papal Bull at Newmarket 16 days ago.

A low draw was generally favoured on the straight course at the royal meeting and if that is again the case Mastership should give a good account in the totesport International Heritage Handicap (3.40). He has improved since joining the shrewd John Quinn stable, staying on strongly when runner-up to Musaalem - who reopposes on 6lb worse terms - over six furlongs at Doncaster last month before having little luck in running when fourth in the Bunbury Cup over this trip at Newmarket. Given a clear run, he should go close.

African Skies proved too keen for her own good through the early stages when fourth in the Albany Stakes over course and distance last month and can show her true colours in the Princess Margaret Independent Newspaper Stakes (2.35), while Perfect Stride, who has not run since disappointing in the 2,000 Guineas, can make the most of a hefty drop in class to land the Emirates NBD Cup Heritage Handicap (3.05).

At York, Knot In Wood can defy top weight in the Sky Bet Dash Heritage Handicap (3.45). He has run consistently well in the top sprints for the past two seasons and gained reward when winning the Scottish Stewards' Cup at Hamilton last time. A 5lb rise for that is fair and, at a track where he has a good record, he can follow up.

The best bet of the day is Caprivi, who looks to have been let in lightly for the skybet.com EBF Fillies' Handicap (2.40). Runner-up in a fair maiden race at Newbury on her debut, she had plenty in hand when going one better at Doncaster last time. This well-bred filly is open to plenty of improvement after just two starts and can continue on an upward curve.