Reikers Island looks the wrong favourite in the 14.10 handicap chase, as his price suggests he’s definitely got improvement in him when that’s not assured.
He’s up against an ex-Gold Cup winner in CONEYGREE and might be in for a shock when the old horse blasts off at his fairly unique Grade 1 pace.
Respective marks and weights become academic when Coneygree is around, as if you can’t jump and travel at Grade 1 pace you’re going to be in big trouble a long way out, and Ascot is not a track you’d want to gift a soft lead.
Black Corton is the only one to my eye that has the class to do that, but he’s not jumped as well as he can do this season and was hopelessly outpaced last time out over an inadequate trip behind Top Notch, which really doesn’t bode well.
I can see Coneygree forcing mistakes and giving us a right good run for our money at 11/2, given he suffered an over reach in the King George and ran a blinder against top top horses for much of the way.
1pt win Coneygree @11/2, 14:20 Ascot, Saturday
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