Ascot goes ahead!

We potentially had some decent racing around the country this weekend, with good meetings at Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton over the jumps, and it continues on Sunday when at Leopardstown there is the Irish Arkle and the Irish Champion Hurdle. But, we’ve lost Haydock this morning which is disappointing for me as I was going to put up MAKTU as one of today’s selections.

However, Wincanton goes ahead after a 2nd inspection. The betting markets are up in the air there as so many were double-entered due to the prospect of frost. In the 3:25, BRADFORD BORIS on 8/1 looks well-in. The seasonal debut will have brought him on, and he finished last season on a high. He can repeat his C&D win of last March.

Ascot goes ahead and what a meeting!
The Victor Chandler Chase is dominated by Master Minded and if he continues in the form he’s shown in winning at Ascot and Cheltenham this season, then he won’t be beaten. The two Henderson entries, Petit Robin and Mad Max are worthy contenders and, on form, hard to split. Mad Max has not shown the ability of last season, but this time he reverts to 2-mile from 2m5f and that could make the difference. Stable jockey Barry Geraghty is on Petit Robin, and he has run 2nd in this race twice before. At 8/1 as I write, he looks an eachway “steal” and he s 7/2 without the fav. Of the others, Somersby would probably prefer 20f, and the rest are outclassed.
Next on the card at Ascot is the Victor Chandler hurdle and AP McCoy has a rare ride for David Pipe on Notus De La Tour, now the subject of a market move. The return to the track of Walk On and Soldatino after long absences suggest that this is a race to watch and take note from.
The next is a 2m5f h’cap chase (class 2). There is likely to be a good pace in this with Pickamus and Soulard entered. Edgebriar seems best going LH. Breedsbreeze ran a cracker from an absence of 669 days LTO and tho’ he’ll come on for that, I think he’ll be best over 3-mile. I’m A Legend was found out off this rating, and at the class, LTO. Piraya will also be up with the lead thru’out, but he appears one-paced at the finish. Pickamus and especially Soulard, who has C&D form, look the best value. I’m on Pickamus at 14/1 (with Hills and Chandlers) as he’s run well on his last 2 outings, and his LTO fall was more a slip on landing. PICKAMUS is also on the blog Horse Alert list.

Selections:
Ascot 3:30, PICKAMUS, ½pt eachway @ 14/1 (Hills and Chandlers)
Wincanton 3:25, BRADFOR BORIS, ½pt eachway @ 8/1 (Hills and Betfred)
Total = 2pts staked

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