The Wokingham Handicap remains one of the best punting races of the entire meet and with 24 handicappers it’s not hard to see why.
Last year had a rare winning favourite, and the improving Bielsa currently sits at the top of the market at 5/1. He does look talented, but it takes a horse of a certain constitution to win a cavalry charge like this and those with form in similar type races can often repeat the form.
ANGEL ALEXANDER looks massively overpriced at 20/1 considering he won the Ayr Gold Cup off just a 4lb lower mark on the last start of his campaign in the UK. This son of Dark Angel has since run second in a Group 3 at Maisson-Laffite on heavy ground before running OK during his winter over in Meydan on fast ground beating the likes of Space Blues in a Group 3 sprint.
The return to a big-field handicap over a straight track should be massively in his favour and he has a decent draw on the stands side. This four-year-old could yet be competing in pattern-level races for the rest of this season as he currently sits on the same 2019 winning mark of 105 and has shown he is not out of place racing in pattern company.
Summerghand normally hits the crossbar in these types of races so it would be no surprise to see him pay out for each-way punters.
But I like the profile and price of the improving Shamardal four-year-old, HIGHLAND DRESS, who’s seeking a hatrick of wins since switching to Archie Watson from Irish trainer John Oxx earlier this season.
His main drawback is the lack of experience in a handicap such as this. But he travels like it should suit and has been given a kind draw in stall 17.
Highland Dress put in a fine performance 15 days ago on his comeback run at Newmarket over 6f so he should be fit and whilst the ground was quick that day, you’d be encouraged that he is versatile given his pedigree and he looks a straightforward proposition.
1pt each-way Highland Dress @10/1, 16:10 Ascot, Saturday
(1-6 places, 1/5 odds Skybet)
1pt each-way Angel Alexander @20/1, 16:10 Ascot, Saturday (1-6 places, 1/5 odds Skybet)