Racing
Ascot betting tips: 23rd January
Racing expert Steven Dowler is back to tackle the Rollover £7,000 Place 6 at Ascot on Saturday. Read today’s horse racing tips at Ascot and join his Syndicate.
Ascot betting tips
12.40 – bet365 Juvenile Hurdle – 1m7f
This looks a cracking Juvenile Hurdle to kickstart Ascot’s afternoon card.
Alan King’s TRITONIC failed to win on the flat last year, but was undoubtedly the best of these in that sphere, which culminated with an excellent fourth in the bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap from a mark of 99. He remains an exciting recruit to hurdling and rates the likeliest winner.
VULCAN was pretty useful on the flat himself (2-2 on soft ground) and he should be able to pay his way in this division. His trainer, Dr Richard Newland, has made an excellent start to the campaign and the booking of Richard Johnson is appealing.
Of the others, Salamanca School and PUNCTUATION hold decent claims, with marginal preference for the latter, who was an above-average sort on the flat and it’s hard to envisage him not being involved.
Selections: TRITONIC, VULCAN, PUNCTUATION
13.15 – Matchbook Betting Podcast Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m7f
Magic Of Light is seeking a hat-trick in this race and has to be respected, representing Jessica Harrington. However, I am under no illusion that ROKSANA has a very good record over three-miles (2, 2, 1, 3), including her close-up third behind Paisley Park and Thyme Hill in the Long Walk here last month.
Realistically, she should take plenty of beating back among her own sex and being rated 6Ib higher than last year’s winner. Furthermore, she achieved an RPR of 154 when third last time out, in comparison to Magic Of Light’s RPR 150 when winning this twelve months ago. In conclusion, this provides clear indication that Dan Skelton’s mare is very much the one to beat.
Selections: ROKSANA
13.50 – Matchbook Better Way To Bet Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) – 2m3f
A wide-open Grade-Three event and I’m hopeful LIGHTLY SQUEEZE can get competitive under suitable conditions.
Harry Fry’s charge was rapidly progressive last term and would have gone close in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury until falling at the last when holding every chance. However, he was a fine third in valuable handicap here on return last month following a wind operation and the fitting with a first-time tongue strap. With conditions and track to suit, he’s expected to be thereabouts.
Of the bigger-priced runners, NORDANO can’t be ruled out. He did extremely well last season, particularly on soft-to-heavy ground, chasing home Allmankind in a pair of Grade-2’s/Grade-1’s. Neil King’s five-year-old returned a wide-margin C&D winner on deep ground back in February and, although he remains 11Ib above that success, Jamie Moore could get a soft lead on him. He’s dangerous to dismiss.
Selections: LIGHTLY SQUEEZE, NORDANO
14.25 – Matchbook Best Odds Handicap Chase – 2m7f
Another tricky handicap to solve but YALLTARI looks handily-weighted and is feared most after showing distinct signs of a return to form at Chepstow when last seen.
He will handle the deep ground better than most and his two previous runs at this track, particularly when third in the Grade-Two Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase back in 2019 would be good enough form to win this. Needless to say, his current mark looks exploitable.
DE FORGOTTEN ONE will be a popular choice to continue his fine run for Richard Hobson. He made it two-four for this yard when easily winning at Catterick earlier this month and remains of interest now back up in trip
Selections: YALLTARI, DE FORGOTTEN ONE
15.00 – bet365 Handicap Chase – 2m5f
There’s plenty to like about DASHEL DRASHER, who conducts himself on the racetrack in the utmost professional manner. He continues to improve at a rate of knots for connections and maintained his unbeaten record here when making all in 3-runner race over C&D last time out. His opening handicap mark looks fair and he looks poised to go close.
GOOD BOY BOBBY is another likeable individual who was smart over hurdles but is even better over fences. He was a never-nearer fourth in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham 6 weeks ago, but that looks solid form and he remains low-mileage with more to come.
LOUIS’ VAC POUCH has not made a significant impact this season but remains well-treated based on past exploits and in receipt of loads of weight, he’s not easily discounted under Will Kennedy.
Selections: DASHEL DRASHER, GOOD BOY BOBBY, LOUIS’ VAC POUCH
15.35 – Matchbook Betting Exchange Clarence House Chase (Grade 1) – 2m
The feature race of today’s Ascot tips, the Clarence House Chase, looks an excellent renewal.
Harry Skelton struck up a good relationship with POLITOLOGUE the last twice but Harry Cobden is back on board and that shouldn’t prove a negative towards his claims. He landed a second Tingle Creek last month in gritty fashion and should take plenty of beating if anywhere near the same form.
King George runner-up WAITING PATIENTLY showed he has the speed for two-miles when third in last season’s Tingle Creek and he ran a brilliant race to finish second in the big one on Boxing Day. He has Grade-One winning form at this track and goes well on soft ground. If he can demonstrate his versatility back down in trip, this ten-year-old has every chance of taking top honours.
Selections: POLITOLOGUE, WAITING PAITENTLY
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