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We have heavy going at both of today’s meeting at Ascot and Haydock. So, like the horses, tread carefully. There are plenty of runners from my personal alert list are out today.

At Ascot:
2:00 – REVE DE SIVOLA - this horse has been on my alert list for some years now as he was a very good novice hurdler. Personally, I don’t think he’s up to winning this unless the principals cannot handle this extreme going. However, I don’t think he disappointed as a chaser and I’d love to see him try that sphere again off OR138, as I reckon he’s a 150+ chaser at best, and he isn’t yet 8yo.

2:35 – WYCK HILL - As much as I like Wyck Hill, I really do think he’s been thrown-in the deep end here. He’s 6lb out of the handicap, and would have to run a career-best to even be in the frame. I’ll be frank here; I don’t think Hold On Julio is up to this level, even running off what could be a decent handicap mark, as he looked quite pedestrian to me in the Hennessey. I don’t think he’ll be helped by the heavy going either. I reckon HEY BIG SPENDER is a better horse than Roberto Goldback and so having a 4lb pull makes his advantage even bigger. If Ackertac stays this 3-mile trip (hasn’t shown any ability to stay 2m6f in 8 races beyond that trip) in heavy going, then I want to see a stewards enquiry. The “fly” is Katenko. Venetia Williams is walking on water this autumn with her chasers, but even she would need a miracle to make this horse win this after his poor debut run in this country last month. Unfortunately, I’ve missed the 9/2 available this morning and he’s only 7/2 now, but I think this is effectively a 2-horse race (ie, will Hold On Julio perform) and I’d be happy taking 9/4 on HEY BIG SPENDER. He’s a 2pt win wager, and I don’t make many of those!

 3:10 – BOTHY / CASH AND GO / PRINCETON PLAINS - There are 3 from my alert list going in the “Ladbroke” hurdle and the one that strikes me as “under-the-radar” is PRINCETON PLAINS. He’s coming into this race in the form of his life, and he loves these big-field competitive handicap hurdles. I can see him being covered-up in 7th-10th place before making his move in the final half-mile. I cannot understand why this horse is now 28/1 as he hasn’t been inconvenienced on heavy ground in the past.

3:40 – MAJALA / MY BROTHER SYLVEST – Of this pair, I have a lot of time for MAJALA who really could be thrown-in off OR135. He’ll handle this ground alright and there is not fat in the price of the fav Ulck Du Lin. At 7/1 he’s an eachway steal.

When Haydock is heavy, it really is heavy, and I’m half-expecting it not to go on. I’m not making any selection there.

Selections:
Ascot 2:35, HEY BIG SPENDER, 2pts win @ 7/2 (BetVictor, Bet365 Hills, all go BOG)
Ascot 3:10, PRINCETON PLAINS, ½pt eachway @ 28/1 (Bet365, Stan James, both go BOG & ¼ odds a place 1,2,3,4)
Ascot 3:40, MAJALA, ½pt eachway @ 7/1 (Bet365, Stan Paddy Power Hills, all go BOG & 5th odds a place 1,2,3)
Total = 4pts staked

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