The pick of the prices at Ascot & Haydock....

Friday, 22nd December 2023

The pick of the prices at Ascot & Haydock….

Before we crack on with tomorrow’s betting action….

The Christmas programme has a bit more meat on the bone for handicap punters this year….

…. with multiple quality races to target at various meetings on the 26th, the 27th, the 30th and New Year’s Day….

Check out the upcoming schedule here….

Right now, I can’t tell you for sure exactly which races I’ll target for bets….

…. I can’t know how field sizes will look on the day for a start – or even if fixtures will go ahead….

…. but the intention is to target all the races that get decent numbers….

The one thing to be aware of is that I’ll be sending out my service emails at a different time over the Festival period….

…. I’ll be going out at 7pm the night before racing….

That means 7pm Christmas night for Boxing Day selections….

…. 7pm on Boxing Day for selections on the 27th….

…. and so on….

Any questions – get in touch….

• In the Betfair Exchange Trophy….

I’m disappointed with an 11-runner field for tomorrow’s Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot (3.35)….

…. it’s the worst turnout for the race in at least 20-years….

…. but we work with what is put in front of us and LUCCIA is the pick of the prices for me this morning at the generals 10s….

Trainer Nicky Henderson is three-handed in the race – and the betting says Luccia is the least likely to trouble the scorers….

…. but I’m not convinced of that argument….

Impose Toi turns up off back-to-back wins at Ludlow and Cheltenham – and he’s up at 11/2 this morning….

…. but this is a big step up in class and he’s 10lb up in the rankings for that last win. Plus this race wasn’t Plan A for the horse….

Iberico Lord – race favourite at 3s – beat Luccia 7-legnths into third last time out in the Greatwood at Cheltenham in November….

That day Luccia was giving him 10lb. Tomorrow it’s just 2lbs – and Luccia is entitled to get plenty closer….

…. And she might just appreciate a right-hander a bit more than the favourite….

She certainly shouldn’t be three times his price – at least that’s how I see it….

• In the Howden Silver Cup….

GIT MAKER at 7s, 13/2 & 6s is my pick of the prices in the Howden Silver Cup at Ascot (3.00)….

He’s a young and unexposed chaser on the up and – winning three from his five goes to date….

…. and Jamie Snowden’s charge continued his progress last time at Lingfield with a comfortable win in a C3 off a mark of 128 – beating a stablemate who is now second favourite for the Welsh Grand National….

He’s up 5lbs to 133 for that win and this will be his stiffest test to date….

…. but he won with a degree in hand that last day at Lingfield – suggesting he can overcome the rise and then some….

…. and he’s entitled to strip fitter and improve for what was his first run for 300 days….

Jamie Snowden is getting into the habit of winning big handicap chase events – think Ga Law and Datsalrightgino….

…. and Git Maker could be another on a very nice mark for an up-and-coming trainer….

They had him in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock but chose this race instead – probably on account of ground conditions….

…. ambitions which suggests they strongly believe there’s a big pot handicap pot in this lad off his current perch….

I concur and I’m anticipating a big run tomorrow….

• In the Tommy Whittle….

I wouldn’t be me if I were to shy away from opening my shoulders and swinging the bat at a horse many other punters would automatically swerve….

It’s one of those picks where I could end up with egg on my face (again!)

…. but I’m backing DR KANANGA at the general 14s & 12s in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock (1.30)….

Just over a year ago he was officially rated 140 and was sent off at 8s (4th in the betting in a field of 22) for the Becher Chase at Aintree….

He’d looked like he was thriving in his prep run for that race – a novice hurdle at Bangor….

…. but at Aintree there was something amiss and he weakened quickly….

It was a similar story in his next two runs – one over hurdles and one over fences – where he was beaten 26l and 53l….

He’s only had the one chase run since that Becher Chase assignment – yet he’s down 12lbs in the rankings to a mark of 128 for tomorrow….

He’s potentially very well-handicapped – if he’s back….

…. and he’ll have to do it first time up….

But he had a wind-op (his second) in July and his trainer reports him as ‘flying’ at home….

…. and – unlike some of the opposition tomorrow – he will handle the heavy conditions at Haydock….

If he’s fit enough first-time-of-asking he is certainly weighted to go close tomorrow. And at the price – he’s worth a swing of the bat in my book….

• Finally….

That’s all for today….

I wish you and yours a Merry Xmas….

I’ll be back on Christmas Night….

…. look for me in your email box at 7pm….

…. with selections for the racing on Boxing Day….

Meantime – contact me direct at – nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd