The pick of the Ascot prices....

Friday, 31st October 2025

The pick of the Ascot prices….

The nuts-and-bolts of racing miracles….

Another way to make the racing game pay….

I play the high-value handicaps run at weekends and at the big Festivals….

…. and I avoid fancied horses as a matter of default….

A punter I’ve recently become acquainted with says I do everything wrong….

…. EVERYTHING….

…. and it might surprise you to learn that I can see where he’s coming from….

More to follow….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in all the biggest betting heats at Ascot on Saturday afternoon….

I’m on GENERAL MEDRANO in the 2.05 – up at 10s & 9s….

…. I’m on INDEMNITY at 9s, 17/2 & 8s in the 3.10….

…. and I’m on BHALOO at 10s in the 3.45….

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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All the handicap action of betting interest tomorrow is hosted at Ascot….

GENERAL MEDRANO could still have more to come off a mark of 140….

…. and at the 10s & 9s he’s the pick for the Grundon Waste Management Handicap Chase (2.05)….

His form tailed off at the back end of last season….

…. but prior to that he’d won a Newbury handicap in good style off 131 – looking every inch a horse destined for the top-level handicaps….

…. and in January at Doncaster, he found himself in front too soon and got turned over by a very well-handicapped Petit Tonnerre – nevertheless showing in the process that tomorrow’s mark is far from beyond him….

He goes well fresh – winning first-time up in November 2023 and only just being held on seasonal debut last term – and his yard is going well….

I’m sticking with Emma Lavelle and Ben Jones in the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle (3.10)…..

…. and backing INDEMNITY at this morning’s 9s, 17/2 & 8s….

This is a big step up in class on what will be just his sixth hurdling assignment….

…. and he’ll need to cope with the elevated demands tomorrow’s opposition presents….

Whether or not he’s up to the task at this stage of his career is open to conjecture….

…. and connections will undoubtedly learn more about where they stand with him tomorrow….

But he’s certainly one of the more progressive horses in the field….

…. and he won on his seasonal debut at Market Rasen – albeit in a relatively modest heat – in fine style….

…. winning much more comfortably than the winning distances suggest….

…. and giving the resounding impression there’s plenty more to come….

He’s up 6lb for his troubles to a mark of 121….

…. so, he’s still at the right end of the scale and is surely going to prove much better than that mark….

…. and tomorrow he represents an interesting proposition….

Finally, in the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3.35), I’m BHALOO at the general 10s….

He’s got a bit to find on the formbook with some of tomorrow’s opponents….

…. but some of those won’t be cherry ripe first time up….

…. and the step back up to the 3m trip on decent ground for the first time could well unlock improvement in Nicky Henderson’s 7yo….

He ran well in the Summer Plate at Market Rasen, and he was being targeted at the Grand National in America – a trip you probably wouldn’t want to take unless you thought you had a good chance….

In the event, he didn’t go because Henderson thought he needed more time – which is reported to have done him good….

Henderson has history in this race, the ground is right, and – given that Bhaloo won’t be aimed at winter targets – I’d expect him to have been prepared to give his best effort tomorrow….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

P.S. Make sure you look out for me in your email tomorrow. I’ve got something special for you – the inside line on an alternative approach to making the racing game pay….

I’ll be back with more ATC coverage next week….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

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

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd