On Ascot’s Grade One Christmas card, all stay on Sky Sports activities Racing, At The Races professional Declan Rix nominates a quartet of horses to comply with.
Pink Danger
2.25 – Howden Lengthy Stroll Hurdle (Grade One)
Ten runners go to submit for the Grade One Lengthy Stroll Hurdle, together with a pair of 11-year-olds in Champ and Paisley Park whereas a 10-year-old, Dashel Drasher, additionally options, however might not need the bottom to dry up way more. This trio fill three of the highest 5 locations within the betting, which is headed by the youthful legs of Crambo and the mare West Balboa.
The previous appears to be like a reasonably skinny worth (7/2) to my eye whereas related feedback apply to the latter (100/30), for all I’d fancy the Skelton-trained runner extra. On the costs, on present type, Botox Has (9/1) was of main curiosity, however his poor Ascot document meant at a giant worth, an each-way swing-for-the-fences on RED RISK is how I’ll play the race.
Solely a brief head separated him and the present favorite West Balboa after they clashed within the Lanzarote Hurdle again in January and whereas Pink Danger is 2lb worse off on the weights, he’s a a lot larger worth, regardless of arguably coming right here on the again of a profession finest within the Grade Two West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby.
Whereas he ran a beautiful race on seasonal debut, he nonetheless regarded rusty in his leaping, possibly not completely in love with the very smooth floor so I do hope he’ll sharpen up, and Saturday’s slicker floor will swimsuit him higher than most, particularly in permitting him to get house over this journey.
He ought to journey higher than most if on-song, nevertheless it would not shock to see a few stronger stayers in right here late, however at 25/1 I’m keen to roll the large cube, particularly with the odd agency paying 4 locations.
Victtorino
3.00 – Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase
VICTTORINO (6/1) was critically spectacular on the attention over this course and distance 49 days in the past and a 4lb rise within the rankings does not look too extreme in his bid to comply with up. Certain, Saturday’s Silver Cup is a extra aggressive warmth on paper and the five-year-old should carry 16lb extra in bodily weight, however the way in which he eased by way of the sphere earlier than successful final outing was critically elegant.
To be truthful, it was a tactical race early and Charlie Deutsch slid him by way of the pack superbly, however I simply love how he travelled within the contest. This race will possible be run at a stronger tempo general, which is a small concern with him carrying extra weight, which is able to possible put extra stress on his leaping, particularly on the downhill part, however general, he’s effectively ready within the leaping division.
The true key to victory could possibly be prevailing floor circumstances, with a few of his predominant rivals prone to need softer going to be at their best possible. With the Venetia Williams staff nonetheless in nice order, I hope he’ll go shut.
Luccia
3.35 – Betfair Change Trophy
Present favorite Iberico Lord (3/1) is a likable particular person who jumps effectively and comes right here on the again of a powerful Greatwood Hurdle success, however that was a correct soft-ground, well-run contest and this handicap might arrange in a completely completely different method. For a begin, the bottom will probably be a lot faster and there does not look to be loads of tempo on. On the costs, I’m pleased to take him on.
Within the Greatwood, LUCCIA (9/1) was 10 lengths behind her stablemate, however on 8lb higher phrases in a unique sort of contest, it isn’t onerous to see her closing the space on Iberico Lord. A return to a faster floor ought to actually swimsuit this strong-travelling, good-jumping mare, placing extra emphasis on velocity reasonably than stamina.
Final outing at Cheltenham, the daughter of The Gurkha went by way of 85 per cent of the race eye-catchingly effectively, however completed tamely along with her head carriage not impressing. I might be mendacity if I mentioned that wasn’t a fear, however I hope it was only a case of her getting drained in taxing circumstances up the stiff hill.
Saturday’s race appears to be like a greater match for this flat-bred five-year-old.
Moveit Like Minnie
3.35 – Betfair Change Trophy
Additionally in Saturday’s massive handicap, MOVEIT LIKE MINNIE (28/1) appears to be like effectively price a flyer at a giant worth given he’ll very a lot be at house on a slick floor.
The case for him is two-fold actually; one: the quickening floor and two: his distinguished fashion of racing. In a handicap missing tempo on paper, his forward-going method, high-cruising velocity and skill to deal with the bottom may simply see him hit the body.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies inmate wants to enhance once more up at school, however he comes right here off the again of a prepared four-length Huntingdon handicap win 39 days in the past. This specific day, he regarded in impolite well being all through below Sam Twiston-Davies earlier than staying on strongly.
Twiston-Davies goes to Haydock on Saturday so is changed by in-form 5lb claimer Finn Lambert who’s having an excellent season whereas the yard well being generally is one other optimistic. The one destructive is Moveit Like Minnie’s behavior of leaping left, however hopefully that will not cease him from working a giant race.
Watch all of the motion from Ascot on Saturday stay on Sky Sports activities Racing, with the Lengthy Stroll Hurdle due off at 2.25pm on Saturday