Saturday 21st December 2024
1.50 Ascot: Howden Graduation Chase: We kick things off on Saturday with the 1.50 at Ascot which is a Class 2 graduation chase over two miles and five furlongs. I think that this is all about Iroko who heads the betting for Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero and is the mount of Jonjo O’Neil Jr. He was narrowly beaten by the useful Trelawne on his seasonal reappearance at Haydock last month in a similar contest and I think he should improve significantly here. He has far more potential than his opponents here, and I think it would be disappointing should he not get the job done. Iroko – 6/4 (win)
2.05 Haydock: Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase: It’s over to Haydock for my second selection on the day and this is the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase a Class 2 event over three miles and a furlong and a half. This can go to Famous Bridge who represents the team of Nicky Richards and Sean Quinlan. He won the race last year off just a two-pound lower mark and ran a fan race on his seasonal reappearance at Kelso in October when second of seven and three lengths behind Elvis Mail. It’s likely that the plan has always been to come back and have another stab at this, and course form around here always counts for a lot. Famous Bridge – 11/4 (Win)
3.00 Ascot: Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase: My third selection of the day comes back at Ascot and within the 3.00 which is the Howden Silver Cup a Premier Handicap Chase over three miles. I’m strong on the chances of Victtorino here for the combination of Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch. He won the race last year off a pound lower mark and returned to the track with a very eye-catching effort in the Coral Gold Cup last time out, staying on from a long way back to finish third behind the eventual winner Kandoo Kid. He’s back down a couple of furlongs here and everything looks set for another big run in this particular contest. Victtorino – 7/4 (Win)
3.35 Ascot: Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle: The concluding race of the day at Ascot is the 3.35 which is a Premier Handicap Hurdle over a mile and seven and a half furlongs. I’ve tried my hand with two in this competitive affair, the first of which comes in the form of Favour and Fortune for Alan King and Tom Cannon. He had some very smart form to his name last term, finishing second in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Ascot before finishing sixth in the Supreme and rounding off his campaign with success in a Grade 2 handicap at Ayr. He’s gone well fresh before and he’s top-rated here. I also like Fiercely Proud for Ben Pauling and Kielan Woods. He’s also got smart novice form to his name behind the likes of Jeriko Du Reponet and Lump Sun and he posted his best effort to date in handicap company when sixth of twelve in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. I think that there’s still more to come from him and if he builds on the Cheltenham run can go well at a nice price. Favour And Fortune 12/1 (Each-Way) & Fiercely Proud – 16/1 (Each-Way) (4 place firms)
