ASCOT RACES -- SATURDAY 17th FEBRUARY 2018

BETFAIR ASCOT CHASE RACEDAY
Saturday 17th February 2018

After last weekends fun and considerable success at Newbury we head to Ascot this Saturday for another Betfair sponsored meeting where the feature race is the Betfair Ascot Chase. The supporting card has some interesting contests too with the Cheltenham festival only about a month away. 

Going -- Soft, Heavy in places.
Weather forecast -- After a wet week we do expect a sunny day for Saturday and a max temperature of 11C.


1:15pm -- The Ascot Schools Art Competition Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 2) 2m 3f 58y.

The opening novice hurdle has attracted a field of just five. Nicky Henderson won this corresponding race last year and had five entries in the early declarations and now relies on just DAME DE COMPAGNIE [2nd 2/1] this afternoon, while from a strong stable/owner and in receipt of the mares allowance she still doesn't inspire here. 

We will see if the top one CAPTAIN CATTISTOCK [4th 11/4] can continue on his upward curve having won his last two events for Paul Nicholls and give the weight away all round.

1:50pm -- The Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Grade 2) 2m 7f 180y.

Looks like BLACK CORTON [WON 10/11F] has scared the opposition away and faces only three rivals in this Grade 2 Chase. Likely to be a short price to enhance his place in the Royal Sun Alliance Chase market at the Festival next month. His opponents look to be fighting it out for the place money, Crystal Lad is limited but will pick up good money for a clear round, Mount Mews has won at Doncaster and will have no issues with the soft ground but still seems second best, and finally Ms Parfois [2nd 7/4] is an exciting looking mare already run up a hat trick of chase wins and could give the favourite most to think about.

2:25pm -- The Keltbray Swinley Steeple Chase (A Limited Handicap) (Class 1) (Listed Race) 2m 7f 180y.

Although only the seven line up for this listed handicap it's a good little contest and includes last years winner TENOR NIVERNAIS [6th 9/1] who races off the same mark as his victory of twelve months back but is not exactly in the same form having only the one outing since the 2017 Grand National and he was pulled up at Doncaster.

With over £40k to the winner the opposition is strong, GOLD PRESENT [Non Runner] is a course and distance winner and heads the weights, and we fancy HOLLY BUSH HENRY [5th 11/4] at a nice price as he won't mind the ground or trip.

3:00pm -- The Ascot Spring Garden Show Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2) 2m 3f 58y.

A field of nine here, interesting to see what the betting makes of the market leaders KIDISART and DIEG MAN who are the early price favs, but might be taking each other on and leaving the field open to another improving type. David Pipe could do with a winner prior to Cheltenham and his FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHT [2nd 12/1] gets in with a nice weight although moving up in trip but could be well in. 

STOWAWAY MAGIC [4th 7/1] is my preference out of the Nicky Henderson pair and might be an interesting place bet proposition.

3:35pm -- The Betfair Ascot Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Grade 1) 2m 5f 8y.

Our feature race and includes the very popular CUE CARD who won this race last year. At 12 years of age he's in the veteran stage now and although this is his grade now should be vulnerable especially as jumping errors have started to creep in, at 10/1 wouldn't be put off a place bet. [2nd 9/1] 

Bryony Frost has found the winning touch with FRODON and may not be too far away here, but it's TOP NOTCH that looks the one to beat, ran away with a race here end of last year and has form on soft ground too and can see off the impressive WAITING PATIENTLY [WON 2/1F] who is 5/5 over fences so far.

4:10pm -- The www.racinguk.com/clubdays Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 3) 2m 7f 118y.

Largest field of the meeting with a dozen declared to face the starter and great to see an open contest where it's 4/1+ the field. POP ROCKSTAR [7th 12/1] is one of those likely market leaders and although punished by the handicapper for last couple of wins it's possible there's still a bit more improvement available and should be popular. 

At a bigger price it could be time for LAUGHARNE [5th 10/1] to run a big race and is interesting for the place market for sure.

4:45pm -- The Millgate Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class 4) 1m 7f 152y.

The concluding bumper has a strong odds on favourite with LUST FOR GLORY having been purchased after a single point to point win and represents strong connections. But she is a short price based on that along and I will prefer the chances of Mick Channon's bumper winner BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP [WON 5/1] where it's difficult to make a good case for most of the remainder.

Result should appear here later on in the day after racing is complete. Have a great day whatever the weather. 

Managed to go home with a winner, and AFC Wimbledon won 1-0 too in the last minute it seems so overall a successful day today.