Ascot 3.35 Tips and Trackers and Ascot 1.15 Tracker

ROBIN - ASCOT 3.35 Royal Hunt Cup - Class 2 - 1 mile 23 run

 

A race we have won a few times over the years and as ever the Draw will be crucial. Middle to High held sway yesterday, can't see any reason to change that logic as stalls are in centre of track, the field is normally 30 or higher, so horses will tend to come over to near rail. It is not out of the question that something drawn low may make a beeline for far rail, but it would be a very brave choice to do so.

 

Let's look at the likely contenders starting with the least exposed and therefore potentially MOST dangerous.

 

LORD TENNYSON and WILLIE JOHN both well backed but the connections and potential dictate that more than the form so far. The could easily both "bolt in" but in a heritage Handicap of this type, I'm really looking for some proven big field handicap form, so happy to take them both on.

 

MONTATHAM is a big danger and would have been a tip or tracker but for the Draw in Stall 5. I'm going to track this one very closely after today and not impossible it could be given a great tactical ride but I think there are a few more better drawn today.

 

VALE OF KENT and INDEED are both horses with sporting chances, Vale of Kent drawn in 12 could be at the head of the field for a long way and set others up, any asing of the Ground is against that one, and from Stall 8 I'd also see Indeed running a bold prominent race.

 

No down to the serious contenders.

 

AFAAK cannot be left out of calculations. Placed in 2018, winner in 2019 off a similar lay off. Should be fine on any Going and Drawn 18 is high enough to have every chance of finding a good tactical position and the ability to capitalise it.

 

QAYSAR has had a run already and Good to Soft is not a problem. Drawn 22 is ideal and with luck in running and unless the heavens absolutely opened then hard to see this one out of the front 5-6 home.

 

KYNREN has been called a lot of unfair names, superbly consistent and sometimes finds a progressive one too good. Remains well handicapped, had a run which will definitely have boosted chances and Drawn 15 will have no excuse draw wise, with enhanced places to 5th or 6th primed for the race, looks very solid e/w material.

 

With lack of other race options today we'll have a point each way on AFAAK; QAYSAR and KYNREN looking for an each way profit on the race.

 

I will have a smaller each way bet on 2 longer shots in DARK VISION and RAISING SAND whose main negatives are not form, Course form of handicap marks but Draws and those will be my hedge in case the Draw bias should turn around. IF any Trainer/Jockey combo has the "balls" to go down that far rail it could just be Raising Sand's

 

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In The Silver Hunt Cup I was very keen on Model Guest who is now a non runner. It's a race full of unexposed form and horses and lack of real 1 mile big field form.

 

I really like ALTERNATIVE FACT but it's a 10 furlong horse who will finish fast and a Draw in 21 might mean it literally has to pass every horse in the field with most of them moving over in front of it. Not impossible but will take an outstanding tactical ride. I'd not like to pass it over though so an 1/2 point each way Tracker.

 

At big big Odds in this race I can't totally ignore SO BELOVED and ZHUI FENG (winner for us at 25/1 in 2017 here when we grabbed both big field Handicaps at 25/1 SP). I'd strongly suggest a small stake on each as a "fun bet".