Ascot Betting Tips for March 21, 2026 - Influencing is Well Placed

Alex Marsh

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Last updated: Fri 20 Mar 2026 03:11

Alex Marsh 20 Mar 2026

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Ascot hosts key races on March 21, featuring the Grandstand Cup
'Bonjoy', 'True Player', and 'Influencing' are top picks for race day
The event promises exciting sprints, including the Supremacy Stakes

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Ascot’s Grandstand Cup Day delivers a sharp metro card with feature sprint action and strong depth across the program. (Getty)

Ascot stages a strong Saturday program on March 21, headlined by the Listed Grandstand Cup and supported by key sprint features including the Supremacy Stakes.

Ascot Tips March 21
Morley Growers Market Handicap Tips (Race 2)
Tabtouch - Westspeed Platinum Handicap Tips (Race 6)
Vale Buster O'Malley Handicap Tips (Race 7)
Grandstand Cup Tips (Race 9)

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Ascot Tips March 21

Morley Growers Market Handicap Tips (Race 2)

Ascot Value Bet - Race 2 No. 6 Main Act

Perhaps worth another chance, especially at the big price available for an each-way play with Main Act.

He hasn’t fired in two runs this campaign, including the January 24 return when keen and failing to settle, which took away his late dash, but it still wasn’t a bad performance.

Last time out he received a bump when down in grade and was disappointing there irrespective, but regular hoop Jessica Valas jumps back aboard, a jockey who was aboard for all three wins last year.

The last of those victories came off a similar pattern to this, dropping from 1200m to 1000m off a freshen-up when saluting in a Saturday metro event last July.

Some of the form lines around last year suggest he could be measuring up in better company than this, and long odds are available here.

Tabtouch - Westspeed Platinum Handicap Tips (Race 6)

Ascot Best Bet - Race 6 No. 1 Influencing

The market could well find Influencing even further closer to the jump, having been much bigger prices in both outings this campaign.

This looks a much better winning platform coming well down in grade off a third in a fast-run 1200m event last Saturday, with the five-year-old also stepping to 1400m, a trip he has won his last three races over.

Five furlongs was certainly on the sharp side when a notable drifter via his Belmont resumption earlier this month, though it was still a decent return over the shorter journey.

While there is still a big weight despite the 2kg claim from apprentice rider Natika Riordan, he has proven capable under big imposts.

Riordan was aboard for his last win at Kalgoorlie earlier this season, and the setup here looks favourable.

Vale Buster O'Malley Handicap Tips (Race 7)

Ascot Next Best Bet - Race 7 No. 2 True Player

There is still upside with True Player as a lightly raced five-year-old, and the Williams stable have him in terrific touch.

He backed up a strong return to win second-up at Pinjarra before handling a rise in grade with ease when saluting at Bunbury on March 7.

Many of his key rivals here were among the beaten brigade in that Bunbury event, where he sustained a wide run and still comfortably defeated them.

That performance suggested the extra 200m will pose no issue for the son of Playing God.

From a kinder draw this time around, jockey Lucy Fiore has more options as True Player chases a hat-trick.

Grandstand Cup Tips (Race 9)

Ascot Feature Bet - Race 9 No. 3 Bonjoy

The Jason Miller-trained mare boasts a strong overall record, with 12 wins from 25 starts, and returned with a second Listed victory in the Bunbury Stakes on resumption.

The daughter of Maschino exploded late to record the fastest last 200m of the program, having been held up until the 150m before producing a sharp turn-of-foot.

It was a welcome return to form after a Perth Carnival campaign where she was competitive but slightly below her best.

Bonjoy generally improves second-up, winning three of five in that stage of a preparation.

She will need the track pattern to suit given her get-back style, but is well placed to salute again if conditions allow.