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 13th January
12:55 Gerrard Tolworth Hurdle Class A Grade 1 
THE ROOK __ St Pirran, Razer Blade, Reiziger, Iznogoud, and Patriarch, appeal most in the opener. There shouldn't be much between St Pirran, and Razer Blade, who fought out a great finish at Cheltenham last time out. Razer Blade was conceding 5lbs that time so in theory will be better off at the weights, however St Pirran won with a bit in hand and should confirm places. I wouldnt be surprised if Iznogoud, and Patriarch mixed it with these two. Patriach, a really good bumper last year, is better than the form he showed behind Valley Henry at Chepstow first time out over 2m4f, and could show improved form back at the minimum trip 
'No.1 Choice' __ St Pirran (R*ecommended)
'(e/w) Alternative' __Patriach
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __ Iznogoud,

1:30 TheSpinRoom.com Novices' Chase (Registered As The Lightning Novices' Chase Class A Grade 2 
THE ROOK __ Dusk Duel frightened most of his supporters before coming from an unlikely position to win at Kempton last time out. He again tries this trip and should get the better of Exit To Wave, though this horse shouldn't be taken for granted over what is probably too short a trip for the selection 
'No.1 Choice' __ Dusk Duel
'(e/w) Alternative' __

2:00 Victor Chandler Chase Showcase Handicap Class A Grade 2 
THE ROOK __ Ten runners line up for the main race of the day. Function Dream, is likely to go off a warm favourite but can she win? . On paper, the tactics look obvious, as it is almost guaranteed that Get Real, and Corniche, (maybe Cenkos, and celibate) will go out and try to make all, and will stretch their rivals from the gun.... Get Real, hasn't done anything wrong this term, but has twice weakened alarmingly up this hill, and with Corniche, in the lineup surely will be found wanting again, so of this battle I'd keep on the right side on the Twiston Davies. Personally I wouldnt want to be on a frontrunner and prefer to be on guaranteed to 'finish'. Function Dream, having won over further wont be found wanting on that score and normally travels well on the bridle, the again so do quite a few of these.

Her position in the market is based on her four wins this term culminating in her win in the Castleford Chase, at Wetherby (on that form she'll safely hold Davoski). She clearly is improving, but has she actually beaten anything of note ? Howard Johnson is having a nightmare season so arguably Direct Route's run behind her is best ignored, and no disrespect to the admiral Celibate, but that horse does have two ways of running (actually he could go well on a track he loves), On 11-0 Function Dream, has plenty on her plate, and despite being well in in the weights here, this lovely mare, may be found wanting in by far her most significant task thus far. That leaves Tiutchev, who ran deplorably in the Tingle Creek at Cheltenham, but is the subject of glowing reports at home. If he has returned to his form of last term, when he carried all before him, wining the Arkle, and at Punchestown, then he'll probably win this... however I'm going to take a chance with Exit Swinger (eachway).....

Why ?!!! ... I like the horse, I think the race will be run to suit, and I'm driven by comments made by a columnist in the Sporting Life Weekender this week who tipped Function Dream, but said of Exit Swinger "he'll struggle to lay up at this shorter trip"...

I immediately got my tape of his runs in the Tripleprint, and Thomas Pink races out, and watched with anticipation!!!. In both of those events he appeared to travel particularly well on the bridle, as he has done in most of his British races. On his second to stablemate Lady Cricket in the Thomas Pink he must go close, and I'd forgive him one bad run over fence; he didn't seem to get home in the Tripleprint. This is a risky bet, however he is still open to improvement. and is bigger in the market due to the current form of the Pipe stable..., (which makes a pleasant change) .... I'll be parting with the cash in the morning, and I'll have a saver on Tiutchev.. here's hoping 
'No.1 Choice' __ Exit Swinger (e/w)
'Alternative' __ Tiutchev
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __ Exit Swinger

2:35 victorchandler.co.uk Handicap Hurdle Class B 
THE ROOK __ Doctor Goddard, Red Guard, Morimont, Nemisto, Mr Lamb, Hit And Run, Krabloonik, and Delayed, all have claims in an open handicap hurdle. If Hit And Run, makes this a truely run affair, it could suit Red Guard who ran a good race to finish fourth to Flagship Colm at Kempton on Boxing Day, and he is marginally preferred to Doctor Goddard who is likely to appreciate the reduction in trip, having been outstayed by Mister Banjo at Cheltenham
'No.1 Choice' __ Red Guard
'(e/w) Alternative' __Morimont, 
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __Morimont, 

3:05 Victor Chandler Online Handicap Chase Class B 
THE ROOK __ Grey Shot, In The Blood, and Catfish Keith stand out in the fifth. In the Blood ran a great race in the Tripleprint behind Go Roger Go, but didn't quite see it out that day. He should go close, but the well treated Grey Shot is worth chancing. This former top class hurdler looked a natural on his chasing bow at Exeter in Sept '99, and whilst he'll need this, his class will get him home 
'No.1 Choice' __ Grey Shot 
'(e/w) Alternative' __
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __Catfish Keith

3:35 Victor Chandler Teletext Page 620 Novices' Chase Class B 
THE ROOK __ Cimarrone Cove, Somemanforoneman, Bindaree, and Charter Ridge, all deserve consideration in the sixth. I like Somemanforoneman who has looked a totally different horse than the one that ran for Mouse Morris in Ireland. His second to Dusk Duel over 2m5f is solid form, and over this trip which'll suit him, he may just outjump/outlast his main danger Cimarrone Cove, who has look good in both of his last two efforts 
'No.1 Choice' __ Somemanforoneman
'(e/w) Alternative' __

4:05 Victor Chandler British Masters EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier) Class D 
THE ROOK __ Far Horizon, Concert Pianist, Native Emperor, Brambly Hedge, Indian Scout, make most appeal in a trappy finale...Concert Pianist has looked good in two starts this term, and was last seen beating Karratha with ease at Chepstow in December. He should go well, as should course and distance winner Native Emperor, however I think the weight conceded by both to Far Horizon may be too great, if this talented bumper horse improves on his disappointing debut over jumps 
'No.1 Choice' __ Far Horizon
'(e/w) Alternative' __ Indian Scout
Runner(s) listed in our 'HORSES TO FOLLOW' feature __Soeur De Sentier, 

This page was updated - Monday December 24, 2001 05:46:01 AM