Big Ascot handicap looks competitive Trainer Michael Appleby is in confident mood ahead of Demora's bid to clinch another big lucrative prize in today's Totepool Heritage Handicap at Ascot. The five-year-old made big strides in 2013, signing off for the year with victory in a valuable contest at Haydock, and made a most impressive return to action with an all-the-way win in Musselburgh's Scottish Sprint Cup a month ago. Apprentice jockey Alistair Rawlinson keeps the ride and it is a measure of the regard in which the mare is held by her trainer that Appleby is considering a tilt at the Group One Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in October. He said: "She's in great from and has a good draw (stall 19), so we're expecting a very good run from her. She was good at Musselburgh and I think she might have come on a bit since then. There might be a bit of improvement in her. "The ground is on the quick side, but that shouldn't be a problem. I think she'd go on any ground, to be honest. "Ali keeps the ride as it's a handicap and he can claim off her. Were she to win, you'd be looking at Listed and Group races and Andrew (Mullen, stable jockey) will get back on board I would have thought. "The Abbaye is a race we've got in mind for her at the end of the year, but we'll see how she goes on Saturday before we make any plans." Demora is one of two star sprinters Appleby has in his care this season, with the equally exciting Danzeno clinching the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last month. Appleby said: "The two of them have worked together in the past, but Demora just has that touch more speed. She works on her own most of the time these days, as nothing can go with her." Morawij showed smart form as a two-year-old for Roger Varian and was a Listed winner at three. He finished last of seven runners on his only previous start this year at Musselburgh, but Varian anticipates improvement. He told his website www.varianstable.com: "Morawij has been working well. He ran well in the Norfolk over this course and distance as a two-year-old and I think a track like Ascot suits him. He has a lot of weight but he goes there in good form and should be competitive."
