Friday, 30th October 2026
In ATC today….
…. I bring you my best picks in Saturday’s big handicaps at Ascot….
I’m on AEROS LUCK in the 2.00 – up at 8s….
…. I’m on QUEENSBURY BOY at 15/2 in the 2.33….
…. and I’m on NAP HAND at 11s in the 3.43….
That’s the summary….
…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….
Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….
Read on….
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It’s a long road from Berwickshire to Ascot – a proper diesel guzzler….
…. and Sandy Thomson must think AEROS LUCK – his sole runner on the card – stands a decent chance of getting into the money in the Sodexo Live! Handicap Chase (2.00)….
He got beaten into third in a four-horse race for good money on seasonal return at Kelso earlier this month – his first go since undergoing a second wind operation….
…. and it was an encouraging performance….
Under an enterprising ride from 7lb claimer Lucas Murphy he slipped the field heading into the straight for the first time and attempted to put it up to them all the way round….
He jumped well, showed plenty of exuberance, and he was bang at it until late on in the piece….
…. just running out of steam in the final half-furlong and going down by a shade under 4 lengths….
The winner – completing a three-timer on the day – was match sharp and Aeros Luck – available at 8s this morning – is entitled to strip fitter for the outing….
On 122 he’s rated 7lb lower than he is over hurdles – and I suspect there’s a bit of mileage in the mark….
It’s that time of the year when horses are returning to the track from long breaks – and you can never really know for sure how fit or forward they are….
That’s the conundrum facing punters with eight of the ten runners in the Sodexo Live! Regal Encore Handicap Chase (2.33)….
Those horses all return from absences of 90+ days and establishing their race readiness is a bit of a guessing game….
…. but I do think QUEENSBURY BOY will be fit and firing – and he’s my bet at the general 8s….
He’s had a good summer – winning the Summer Plate at Market Rasen and he’s still only rated 131 after reassessment….
He’s been off for 105 days since and there’s absolutely no point bringing him back to the track now unless he’s primed to be ‘at it’ tomorrow….
The 7yo wants better ground, this isn’t a prep for assignments across the winter months, and I reckon he’s been specifically targeted – with ground and track both in his favour….
Chris Gordon’s won a couple of recent renewals of the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle (3.43)….
…. and his NAP HAND is a decent bet to put up another good show for the yard at the general 11s….
Just like Gordon’s previous two winners, the 6yo prepped with an outing earlier in the month….
…. and he won at Plumpton in good style – albeit down at C4 level….
That said he won comfortably with plenty in hand, and he’d be a good candidate to find a good deal more improvement still off a revised rating of 120…
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Now, just to recap….
The pick of the prices….To recap on my bets…. In the 2.00 @ Ascot….
e/w terms = It’s 4 places generally…. In the 2.33 @ Ascot….
e/w terms = It’s 3 places generally…. In the 3.43 @ Ascot….
e/w terms = It’s 5 places generally…. Advised prices are correct at the point of publication – but subject to fluctuation. Shop around – you may find better quotes and terms than advised…. |
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That’s all for now. I’ll be back with more next week….
Contact me direct at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk
And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….
Stay tuned….
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