Racing
Ascot Place 6 preview | 2nd April
13.50 – Ascot Racecourse Supports Ascot United Warriors Maiden Hurdle – 2m3f
EL RIO looked like he was going to make a winning stable/hurdles debut at Chepstow until falling at the last hurdle, so a clear round, and compensation might await him here. SPAGO ran well on his sole previous start on soft ground when second in a bumper and is feared most with more to come.
Selections: EL RIO, SPAGO
14.25 – Soil Science Novices’ Handicap Chase – 2m5f
GAMARET has had just the five starts under rules and has a win in a bumper, a hurdle race and over fences. He was pretty impressive on his chase debut at Newbury and, with plenty more improvement on the cards, he is the one to beat. UPTON ROAD will be better suited to this shorter distance and will like the ground, so he could go well.
Selections: GAMARET, UPTON ROAD
15.00 – Royal Ascot Racing Club Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – 1m7f
This is competitive but BAD was well-backed for the Boodles on his stable debut at Cheltenham and while he could only finish midfield, he ran well under the circumstances. This is a lot easier, so he could be competitive. MR FREEDOM ran well to finish in that race considering he was hampered and has sound claims, while BLUEGRASS is interesting on his handicap debut and is next best.
Selections: BAD, MR FREEDOM, BLUEGRASS
15.35 – LK Bennett Handicap Chase – 2m
PRINCE ESCALUS is seen to best effect when ridden positively and that was the case when he never saw another rival last time at Wetherby. I know this is tougher but he is feared in his current mood, meanwhile FRERE D’ARMES has won both his chase starts and could complete the hat-trick with the potential to rank higher.
Selections: PRINCE ESCALUS, FRERE D’ARMES
16.10 – Colts And Fillies Club Novices’ Handicap Hurdle – 2m7f
Kerry Lee’s KRAQUELINE made the frame in a couple of bumpers and will find this easier than his handicap debut last time. His two best efforts have been on soft ground, so he’s not without hope here, while REALMS OF GLORY should improve for the step up in trip and cannot be ruled out.
Selections: KRAQUELINE, REALMS OF GLORY
16.45 – Memberships At Ascot Veterans’ Handicap Chase
The Kim Bailey-trained TWO FOR GOLD is the class act in the field and was second in a Grade 1 here last February. He couldn’t land a blow at Cheltenham last time but the return to this course under these conditions will see him in better light and he could be hard to topple.
Selections: TWO FOR GOLD
