Grade 1 action lights up at Ascot on Saturday 14 February as the Ascot Chase takes centre stage. Superstar Jonbon will be the star attraction, but there’s some cracking races elsewhere on the card.
The Tote Placepot is sure to prove popular with punters head to the Berkshire track. Here at GG we pick out our selections for the six legs, as we look to land the pot this weekend!
Leg 1: 1.15pm Ascot – Betfair Novices’ Hurdle
Leg 1 Selections: (3) Mondoui’boy
Ben Pauling’s Mondoui’boy and Joe Tizzard’s Etna Bianco can fight out the finish in the opening race at 1.15pm. However, it’s the former that makes most appeal, as he was mightily impressive when winning at Ludlow last time out. Not only will he be open to huge progression, he will also receive a valuable 3lbs off Etna Bianco. Both have potential to become decent performers throughout their career, but it’s Pauling’s charge that can land the prize for favourite backers here.
Leg 2: 1.50pm Ascot – Injured Jockeys Fund Ambassadors Programme Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase
Leg 2 Selections: (3) The Jukebox Kid
Only four go to post for the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at 1.50pm, so you will need to find the winner. Thomas Mor heads the betting, at the time of writing, but The Jukebox Kid can duly hand Ben Pauling his second winner of the day. Well backed for his last outing Ascot, the seven-year-old stayed on really well up the straight to pull comfortably clear. This is a notable step up, but he shaped like he could be a Graded performer that day and can outbattle his rivals.
Leg 3: 2.25pm Ascot – Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle
Leg 3 Selections: (9) John Barbour, (13) Lightningupourdays
A bumper field of 15 runners line up for the 2.25pm contest, so it’s wise to throw a couple of darts at the 2m 3f 63y contest. The first selection has to be Fergal O’Brien’s John Barbour, who’s been given a 4lbs rise for a comfortable Uttoxeter win. This is tougher, but he’s sure to be going the right way and looks capable of more. Another improver is Lightningupourdays, who sneaks in towards the bottom of the weights.. He was last seen finishing third behind Came From Nowhere, who sauntered to an eye-catching Ascot win last month. That is very strong form and the selection can show similar improvement here.
Leg 4: 3.00pm Ascot – Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase
Leg 4 Selections: (9) Montregard
A winner over this trip back in November, Tom Lacey’s Montregard has failed to taste success since, but a return to Ascot can see him bounce back to winning ways. He may be out of the weights here, with Sam Brown heading into the contest with a high rating, but the 125-rated Montregard ran well last time out at Ascot when second to The Jukebox Kid. He’s unlikely to meet something as progressive here, so has to be respected. The likes of Joyeux Machin and Jipcot warrant respect, but Montregard looks a solid option off a featherweight.
Leg 5: 3.35pm Ascot – Betfair Ascot Chase
Leg 5 Selections: (5) Jonbon
This looks a match between Jonbon and Pic D’Orhy and it’s the former that can reign supreme once again at Ascot. Pic D’Orhy has struggled for form in recent outings, but Jonbon showed when winning the Clarence House Chase here in January that he still has lots to give. He steps up in trip here, as he looks to put his Ryanair Chase credentials on show. He was staying on very well over two miles last time out, so this extra distance shouldn’t be an issue.
Leg 6: 4.10pm Ascot – Betfair Handicap Hurdle
Leg 6 Selections: (11) Solar System, (14) Crazierthandaisy
A devilishly difficult staying handicap hurdle concludes the Tote Placepot, and it’s another where it’s best to opt for two selections. The first of those is Solar System for Philip Hobbs & Johnson White. Dropped 1lb by the handicapper for a fifth placed finish at Haydock Park last time out. The JP McManus-owned raider looks more than capable of making the frame off 116. Nicky Henderson’s Crazierthandaisy was fourth in a really competitive Newbury race last time out. Staying on well in the closing stages to suggest there could be more to come.
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