Ascot – Friday 17th December

A mixed day today at Naas as two slightly disappointing runs were put in the shade by a superb win from Saga Aravis. I had mentioned that he deserved to get his head in front in one of these races and Rob James gave him a superb ride from the front. Make sure to also be looking out for the Lucky 15 page on the website at the moment as well, as I managed to strike 2 winners from 4 selections with that today at juicy prices. Moving to Ascot tomorrow, which hosts a fascinating renewal of the Kennel Gate. The fact that it is not a betting race is of no issue, considering the opportunities throughout the card to have a play. 

Starting off with the opener itself, which is due off at 12.35 and is a handicap hurdle over 2m5f. This looks a competitive and high quality race for its kind and there are plenty who are attractively handicapped in this 0-130. However, last time out scorer Jetaway Joey makes the most appeal in this race, having won his last two in decisive fashion and the style of his win at Uttoxeter left the mind imagining of more to come. He swept into the lead that day with considerable ease and there should be considerable possibilities of a mark of 123 on his handicap debut. He was a slightly scruffy jumper last year but he seemed a lot more assured on his seasonal debut and should be able to handle the demands of this race as a result. He is a standout best price of 11/2 with Bet365, who are paying out 4 places. He should be backed each way as a result. 

The 1.45 race is the next intriguing handicap on the card, and this novices handicap chase over 2m1f has attracted a good field of 8 to the post. Brave Seasca is more than likely the rightful favourite in this race, having won very impressively last time out at Warwick. However, he has not been given much time to recover and will have to keep improving in this contest. Instead, I was more so taken to bottom weight, Karl Phillipe, who has a chance off a mark of 125 with the drop back in trip sure to suit. He ran a highly credible race on his chase debut, finishing second to Papa Tango Charlie at Carlisle, when running out of steam over 2m4f. This step back in trip looks ideal and he arrives in this race with a feather weight on his back. Bet365 is a standout price of 11/2, which I will be backing each way.

The final race I’ll be covering is the 3.30 race, which is a 2 miles bumper and this listed contest is a fascinating contest. Henri the Second was very impressive at Chepstow last time out, but in a race that fell apart and it is hard to equate the form. Instead, despite having not won a race yet, Top Dog looks to bring robust form to the table having finished a very promising second on stable debut for the Lavelle yard at Cheltenham in October. The form of that bumper looks strong, with plenty of individual winners coming out of the race. This is a strong race, and he will have to improve for that effort, but he should have learned plenty from that Cheltenham run and should be more streetwise on this occasion. Having got that needed experience under the belt, he should take a bit of beating. He is a best price of 11/4 with Bet365 and should be backed.