Quick look at the 2.30 from Ascot this afternoon. A pretty competitive race in which a case can be made for the major players.
Le Mercurey won well at Plumpton on his seasonal reappearance as did Thomas Brown four days later. The latter’s performance that day over today’s course caught the eye.
He is not a horse I would oppose lightly but the negative for me is the skinny price currently on offer.
Presently a general 11/8 and as low as 5/4 with Hills. I have him in at 9/4 on my tissue.
Thomas Brown on a winning chasing debut at Ascot last month.
Good end to the week with the cards from Ascot and Haydock today with the same venues plus Huntingdon tomorrow.
Silviniaco Conti looks to win The Betfair Chase again tomorrow
Shades of the old ITV7 on Saturday as the cameras go to seven races from Ascot and Haydock. Some of the big stars are in action including double King George VI winner, Silviniaco Conti.
The most intriguing race today contains just three runners as Minella Rocco makes his chasing debut at Haydock. Given his experience in Irish points, the bigger obstacles should not be too daunting. A horse with a big future.
Given the strengths of the opposition and his chase debut, I cannot get him at the current odds-on in my pricing.
Finally a word of praise for Andrew Thornton’s excellent ride on Alder Mairi yesterday. Broke the left-hand stirrup leather at the 4th, but his determination and skill saw him home to a not so comfortable 17 length victory. On this occasion it paid to be a taller jockey who could physically cope with the problem presented to him.
Six races from Ascot on Channel 4 tomorrow on Champions Day, starting from 12.45 with the Group 2 Long Distance Cup.
This 2 miler attracts some of the best from both the flat and National hunt. Willie Mullins sends over three horses from his County Carlow yard including Cheltenham Festival winner Wicklow Brave.
Leading the market are last years’ winner Forgotten Rules, trained by Dermot Weld and Brian Meehan’s Agent Murphy. The latter taking on this extended distance for the first time.
There are a few running tomorrow who have done us some favours this season, Gm Hopkins and Twilight Son spring readily to mind.
Gm Hopkins edges out Temptress to give us a 12/1 victory in the Royal Hunt Cup
The rest of tomorrow’s fixtures contain a flat meeting at Catterick plus three jumps cards.
It is going to be a long hard evening and morning of study plus collating information from various sources.
