With 2018 and 2019 winner Blue Point retired, Battaash has an open goal in the King’s Stand provided he’s on a going day. Odds-on quotes are just about fair, but certainly not of betting interest given he’s never a sure thing. The reality is, Ascot is a stiff 5f and…
1pt each-way Fox Chairman @7/1, 13:50 Ascot, Tuesday
I like FOX CHAIRMAN for the Queen Anne Stakes. Unraced at two, his four starts at three were all good ones, with hard luck stories at Chester and Ascot’s round course keeping him fairly under the radar. He’s by Kingman and out of a Galileo mare so has the pedigree…
1pt win Lavender's Blue @6/1, 16:10 Ascot, Tuesday
The Duke Of Cambridge is a hot looking renewal with it difficult to rule out many with confidence. Michael Stoute has two potential Shamardal-sired improvers in the shape of Jubiloso and Queen Power, with the latter marginally preferred having run a career best on her reappearance to Terebellum (second favourite…
1pt each-way Moon King @15/2, 16:40 Ascot, Tuesday
16:40 2m4f Ascot Stakes (A Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-100) National Hunt trainers have had a dab hand in the Ascot Stakes over the last couple of decades, but with no Willie Mullins or Irish entries it looks like it could go to a flat trainer this season. Verdana Blue…
1pt win Trefoil @13/2, 15:00 Newmarket, Sunday
The Pretty Polly Stakes serves up a cracking appetiser to the 1000 Guineas later on the card. An Oaks trial in its own right, it’s difficult to know at this stage whether this crop will be good enough to compete at Epsom in July. One man who knows a thing…
1pt win Love @4/1, 15:35 Newmarket, Sunday
Where were we? Sunday’s rescheduled 1,000 Guineas has 15 runners so the draw is relevant. Raffle Prize looks the likely pace angle to the race, but I don’t think she’ll stay, for all she has smart form. I’m not sure the favourite Milisle’s stamina doubts are factored into her price…
Cheltenham Festival day four tips: Allmankind, Sempo, Clan Des Obeaux
2m1f (2m179y) (New) JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo) I’m a huge advocate of backing front runners at Cheltenham, particularly on the New Course, and ALLMANKIND is guaranteed to make the pace in this classy renewal of the Triumph Hurdle. His jumping is solid and he seems to stay two miles at his…
Cheltenham Festival day three tips: Itchy Feet, Relegate, Third Wind, Ard Abhainn
2m4f (2m3f168y) (New) Marsh Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (Class 1) (5yo+) The market doesn’t know who should be favourite for the Marsh Novices Chase with four essentially within a point of each other at the top of the market. Faugheen would be the story of…
Cheltenham Festival day two tips: Minella Indo, Alfa Mix, Black Tears, Tronador, Palladium
3m½f (3m80y) (Old) RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5yo+) Quite a few surprises among the final declarations for this race. Copperhead has taken up his entry instead of running in the National Hunt Chase on Tuesday, but his yard’s jockey Robbie Power has chosen to ride Slate House instead, which the market…
Cheltenham Festival day one tips: Shishkin, Esprit Du Large, Epatante, Espoir De Guye, Ravenhill, Springfield Fox
Here are our best bets for an excellent opening card at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival. Best of luck with everything you back throughout the week. 2m½f (2m87y) (Old) Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4yo+) We only put up two ante-post selections for this year’s Cheltenham and both run in the opener.…