Friday November 23rd

There are 3 NH meetings tomorrow: at Ascot, Ffos Las and Catterick.

The meetings at Ffos Las and Catterick aren’t bad - certainly when compared to those on offer at the start of the week !

That said, neither can compare to the action on offer at Ascot.

The 6 race card is varied and of good quality.

In fact, it’s a shame that one or two of the races aren’t being run on Saturday, as I might have fancied tipping in them ! (provided of course, that I could get the prices !)

Instead, I’ll just have to content myself with previewing a few of the races - using the info and prices available this evening - and you’ll then have to decide yourselves, whether anything becomes worth a bet tomorrow !

Ascot

1:00

It’s difficult to oppose Wenyerreadyfreddie after his demolition job in a novice handicap at this course, 3 weeks ago.

He really couldn’t have been more impressive that day - and if he runs to the same level of form tomorrow, he will take a bit of beating.

That said, he is taking on potentially better class rivals - and has to give them weight.

So whilst he has an experience and fitness advantage, it might not be a formality for him…

Kildisart strikes me as the one most likely to upset the favourite.

His rating of 143 over hurdles is only 2lb shy of Wenyerreadyfreddies rating of 145 over fences - yet Freddie has to give him 5lb.

There is a question mark over Kildisart’s fitness, so that would temper enthusiasm - but if he is ready to go, then I suspect he will be quite capable of giving the favourite a race.

Selection: Kildisart at 5/1

2:40

There is a chance that Royal Regatta might take this race apart…

Rated as high as 158, 2 years ago - he gets to run from a mark of just 145 tomorrow.

The reduction in rating, is because he was disappointing on his 2 runs last season - but that was a case for a lot of the the runners from Philip Hobbs’s stable.

He’s a horse who has run all of his best races at Ascot - and who likes to attack from the front.

If he’s fit enough to do himself justice - and is in the lead over the first fence - I suspect he won’t see a rival !

All this said, he does come with risks…

He’s not run for a year - and doesn’t have a amazing record fresh.

He also wasn’t that keen to set off, the last time he did run !

If you support him, it’s a bit of an act of faith in Philip Hobbs training ability.

The horse is more than capable of winning - but he’s no certainty !

If he does disappoint, then Cobra de Mai may be the one to take advantage.
He’s likely to be overlooked in the betting, as he appears the stable second string, on jockey bookings.

However, William Marshalls 10lb claim more than offsets the rise he got for his last win - and the form of most of his runs prior to that win, would put him right in the mix, under what should be ideal conditions.

Selection: Royal Regatta at 4/1 - value alternative Cobra de Mai

3:15

There are fitness or well-being doubts over just about all of the runners in this, which makes it a tricky race to get involved with…

Minella Daddy is handicapped to win - if he returns to action in top form.

The betting is likely to advise on that score.

Battle of Shiloh is also making his seasonal debut - but I’d feel more confident that he will be ready to do himself justice.

He has a good record fresh - and strikes me as a relatively fragile horse, with whom, connections won’t want to waste runs.

He’s not badly handicapped either - and ground/trip should be fine.

Whether there is any value in his current price of 9/2, is debatable - but it might drift a little tomorrow !

Selection: Battle of Shiloh

3:50

Off a pound lower mark than when winning the 2017 Fred Winter hurdle at the Cheltenham festival , I think Flying Tiger is the one to beat in this.
I expected that victory to be a spring board for greater things - but it’s not happened.

He ran some fair races over hurdles last season - but was ultimately disappointing: and he’s not really taken to fences this season…

In a way, this is his last chance saloon - but I’m pretty sure that he retains all of his old ability - and I’m hopeful that Dickie will be able to get him to delver.
In fairness, he faces potentially strong opposition, so he’ll need to be close to top form.

Chatez is thrown in on his flat form: Whilst Distingo ran very well on his seasonal debut.
Jolly’s Cracked it is very well handicapped - if he retains his old ability, after 2 years off the track; whilst I expect Scheu Time to run a big race under Jonjo O’Neil Jnr.

As a consequence, you would need a price on Flying Tiger - and 4/1 is tight.

Perhaps he’s another who will drift tomorrow !

Selection: Flying Tiger at 4/1