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Whether it
be "the race of the day" or a small prize round the gaffs, we
will
attempt to use our knowledge of the formbook to highlight
the fancied horses participating each day and their characteristics and
requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides you with a winner
or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a particular fancy
of yours ... it may even convince you to back some of those horses which
we feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims.
whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
SELECTIONS
- For each race, I have given you who, in my view, are the
likeliest winners, as well as horses who could run well at eachway odds.
'R#ecommended'
horses have, in our view, the best chances of success each day. Any
horses from our 'Horses To Follow' list are shown at the foot of each
race's analysis. POSTING TIMES FOR SELECTIONS__
Selections for Monday - Friday should be available after 9:30pm the
previous evening, however on Saturday and Sunday due to other
commitments won't be posted until after 8:30am those respective mornings
unless otherwise stated. Hopefully this helps
ASCOT
Saturday 17th February
1:30 Gerrard Reynoldstown Novices' Chase Class A Grade 2
THE ROOK _ Hard to oppose Bacchanal in the opener. I has my reservations
about his jumping when winning at Newbury on his chasing bow, but those were dispelled with a spectacular win in the Feltham Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. Not of the Henderson runners have put there best foot
forward, so he may not be as impressive as he was that day, but bar a fall he should score
'No.1 Choice' _ Bacchanal
'(e/w) Alternative' _
2:00 William Hill Handicap Hurdle Class B
THE ROOK _ Ultra-competitive handicap hurdle; Seixo Branco, Spunkie, Regal Holly, Harvis, Mazileo, Romero, One Nation, Brandon Court, Docklands Limo, Persian Waters, Shahrur, Hugo De Perro, and Smint, all appear to have claims. I expect all of the horses from our 'Horses to Follow' feature to run well, but the unexposed Seixo Branco does look to have an outstanding chance, though is likely to go off at a
ridiculous price. He has always been well regarded by the Egerton stable, and confirmed that impression with a very easy win at Southwell on very bad ground. He
must go close and he gets the vote. Of the others Smint, One Nation, and Harvis should all go well at larger odds. Anyone of them should give you a good run for your money eachway. I will choose Smint
'No.1 Choice' _ Seixo Branco,
'(e/w) Alternative' _ Smint
RUNNER(S) LISTED IN OUR 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' FEATURE _ Seixo Branco, One Nation, Hugo De Perro, Harvis
2:35 Mitsubishi Shogun Ascot Chase Class A Grade 1
THE ROOK _ Four runners line up for the main race on the card. All of them have chances, but I expect Bellator, and Tiutchev to fight out the finish. Although Tiutchev
may be the better of the two, he hasn't really shown enough this term to justify backing him.
Bellator' s form is solid, and I have been quite impressed with his attitude
in his last two efforts; an excellent third in the King George at Kempton, and a easy win at
Wincanton 37 days ago. He'll never have a better opportunity to win a Grade 1 event
'No.1 Choice' _ Bellator
'(e/w) Alternative' _
RUNNER(S) LISTED IN OUR 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' FEATURE _ Tiutchev
3:10 McGee Group Novices' Hurdle Class D
THE ROOK _ I really like Isful, Bear on Board, and Hindiana in the fourth. Isful looked far more
promising at this trip at Taunton last time after looking frankly ordinary over 2miles at Chepstow on his
British Debut. He should go well, as should embryonic chaser Bear on Board. Although the ground may be a little softer than suits, ex-french Grade 3 winning chaser Hindiana appears to have strong claims. None of his rivals boast the credentials that he does, and Christopher Iles has kept us informed of his recent form on his 'Focus on France' feature. I
believe he is rated 150 over fences, and although he didn't run anywhere near that mark at Musselburgh, he certainly left the impression
that he capable of producing more if required.
'No.1 Choice' _ Hindiana (FR)
'R#ecommended'
'(e/w) Alternative' _ Bear on Board
RUNNER(S) LISTED IN OUR 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' FEATURE _ Hindiana (FR)
3:45 Shenley Enterprises Novices' Chase Class B
THE ROOK _ Mr Percy should appreciate the likely strong pace that Bright November will set, and may be hard to beat. He was forced to make his own running, and as a result lost nothing in
defeat behind the potentially useful Inn Antique at Kempton 19 days ago
'No.1 Choice' _ Mr Percy
'(e/w) Alternative' _
4:20 Ascot United Football Club Handicap Hurdle Class D
THE ROOK _ Raise A Prince, Misconduct, Zapateado, Haditovski, Pridewood Fuggle, Welsh Padre, Lightning Star, Michael Finnegan, Townleyhall, and Water Stratford, all have chances in an open
handicap hurdle. Zapateado, who ran well against Selberry at Chepstow is the selection, though Water Stratford, and Michael Finnegan, appeal if anywhere near their best form
'No.1 Choice' _ Zapateado,
'(e/w) Alternative' _ Michael Finnegan,
RUNNER(S) LISTED IN OUR 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' FEATURE _ Michael Finnegan,
4:50 Ascot Ex-Service Men's Club Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race Class H
THE ROOK _ I like First Love, but penalties against potential useful sorts makes him unappealing. Stars Out Tonight, Beethoven, Jaloux D'Estruval, Jordan Aulmes, and Felixrdotcom, all appeal or are the subject of good home reports. I'll be hoping that Beethoven puts his best foot forward and is a hopeful choice.
'No.1 Choice' _ Beethoven,
'(e/w) Alternative' _ Felixrdotcom,
RUNNER(S) LISTED IN OUR 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' FEATURE _ Beethoven
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