Our top tipster, Daryl Carter brings a quartet of selections for Saturday’s racing, with a pair of tips apiece, at Ascot and Wincanton. Check out his picks below, alongside an exclusive SBK offer that provides money back in cash up to £40..
Prices correct at time of writing and of those available
CARIBEAN BOY – (2.25 Ascot, 1pt win – 7/1)
CARIBEAN BOY hasn’t fulfilled his early potential, but he does arrive on the back of a useful effort on his first completed attempt at 3m after scoring in good style at Kempton. That run has worked out well, the runner-up tanked through his next start looking like the winner before falling, and the third chased home the very well-handicapped and Paddy Power Plate favourite Celebre D’Allen only to go down by 1/2 a length.
He also has the beating of today’s favourite Fiddlerontheroof on their meeting at Newbury last year over 2 1/2 miles, and he is six pounds better off. The testing conditions should suit him, and the cheek-pieces have had a positive effect. He could be about to fulfil his early potential for Nicky Henderson, and a prominent ride should see him to good effect.
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FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES – (3.38 Ascot, 2pts win – 5/2)
FAKIR DOUDAIRIES is the class act in this field, and the presence of Mark Walsh making the journey across the sea bodes well for his chances. He was far better than the bare result at Thurles after making a howling error at the first flight but showed real guts to get back into the race, albeit unable to pick up the high-class winner. He proved at Aintree what a smart horse he was in comparison to the British rivals.
Since then, he has been third in an Irish Gold Cup over a trip that stretches him and then 15 a length winner of the Clonmel Oil Chase before bumping into Allaho the last twice. He is a class act and should prove tough to beat. Saint Calvados is a horse I think is best when fresh, so asking for a repeat performance of the King George – which is what he will need – is rather hopeful. Fanino D’Estruval is the biggest danger.
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SOLWARA ONE – (3.58 Wincanton, 1pt win – 7/1)
Two to side with in this contest. The first is SOLWARA ONE, who looked like a winner in waiting over fences, but his jumping let him down, and the return to hurdles in a hood for the first time looks a positive move. He shaped like a horse with stacks of potential last term, including when an excellent sixth at Aintree off today’s handicap mark – with a few of these in behind – in a race that has worked out well.
The return to a right-handed track and soft ground are both positives to his chances, as is this extra distance for the first time over hurdles. He is completely unexposed and has a positive upwardly mobile profile. This flat track should suit him, and he should have more to offer on the balance of his form off of this handicap mark of 134.
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MONTE CRISTO – (3:58 Wincanton, 1pt each-way – 14/1)
MONTE CRISTO needs forgiving two below-par runs the last twice but could never get into the race from a wide hold-up position in the Lanzarote at Kempton. The handicapper has been very generous, dropping him a total of seven pounds in two runs. He is certainly on a winnable mark, and this smaller field on this speed track should suit him well. The presence of Nico De Boinville for Nicky Henderson catches the eye, given he could be riding in the Betfair Chase at Ascot on Mister Fisher.
Monte Cristo is likely to head to the Coral Cup on the back of this and, having come down the handicap (10lbs lower than when 11th in the race last year) and a more prominent ride under Nico, looks highly likely. This is weaker than his last two contests, and favourite Mr Glass lacks pace, while Sizeable Sam shouldn’t be winning this off his mark. Master Debonair has stamina questions to answer, Stella Magic needs to bounce back, Trincomalee is not well treated after a four pounds rise, Ask The Doc takes a big step up in grade, Corinto returns from a long lay-off, and Jepeck has an uphill task as a 13yo and won’t get a soft lead.
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DARYL CARTER’S BEST BETS
CARIBEAN BOY – (2.25 Ascot, 1pt win – 7/1)
FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES – (3.38 Ascot, 2pts win – 5/2)
SOLWARA ONE – (3.58 Wincanton, 1pt win – 7/1)
MONTE CRISTO – (3:58 Wincanton, 1pt each-way – 14/1)
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