Today’s FREE Horse racing tips: The Betting Spy’s top picks for Saturday’s racing at Ascot, Wincanton and Kempton
The Betting Spy is back with his top tips for Saturday's racing where the action at Ascot takes centre stage with a bumper card
AFTER the loss of so much racing Ascot host a terrific nine-race marathon and there could be no more appropriate winner of the Grade 1 Ascot Chase than WAITING PATIENTLY (3.55).
His trainer Ruth Jefferson has done just that with her star chaser, avoiding fast ground and unsuitable targets, to aim at the biggest prizes.
The drawback to that strategy was highlighted on Boxing Day when he was unavoidably brought down in the King George with a circuit to go.
He can gain deserved compensation in a race he took 12 months ago with an outstanding display, beating track ace Cue Card with search parties needed to find the likes of Frodon and Top Notch.
The clock proved the form was as good as it looked. Hopefully he can produce another performance that will make all the Waiting worthwhile!
Cyrname made all to win a good handicap over course and distance last month but he got a soft lead that day and, with fast-improving Aso in the line-up, may not find it so easy now.
MISSING IN ACTION Presenting Percy a shock absentee as four declared for the Red Mills Chase
His stablemate Politologue, who probably failed to stay in the King George, gave Charbel 6lb and a beating here in November and is the biggest threat.
Earlier on REIKERS ISLAND is one to be with in the 3m handicap chase at 2.10. He was only narrowly beaten at Newbury last time despite clouting the last, almost unseating his rider, and jumping right in the home straight.
The form has worked out well and the six-year-old, who has only had three runs over fences, surely has more to offer. Last year's winner Regal Encore is not weighted out of things but is utterly unreliable as a glance at his form figures shows.
Victory for 2015 Gold Cup hero Coneygree would be hugely popular but the handicapper probably needs to cut him some more slack.
I spy an eyecatcher...
Whilst the home team were on sick leave, action continued in Ireland last weekend where Dounikos led home a Gigginstown 1-2-3 in the 3m4f handicap chase at Punchestown on Sunday.
The first three pulled seven lengths clear and the third home was last year's Irish National hero GENERAL PRINCIPLE.
He won that race off a mark of 139, so he is undeniably well treated in the weights for Aintree in April, where he can race off only a 5lb higher rating, which puts him on just 10st.
Given British marks are always a few pounds higher than Irish ones, he is a must for the shortlist. Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "He jumps and he stays. He has a nice weight. It's a race I've had in mind for a while."
Black Corton is in a similar boat, paying for his terrific novice season, and with some doubtful stayers among the rest, this could be Island's day in the sun.
Newbury's loss is Ascot's gain as last week's highlight, the Betfair Hurdle (3.20), has been saved. The form of the Gerry Feilden at Newbury in December, where Lisp and Mont Des Avaloirs were second and third, is red-hot and I was keen on the latter, who is better off at the weights, for this race seven days ago.
But a week is a long time in racing, as well as politics, and the change of track is offputting as Mont Des Avaloirs ran a shocker when favourite here last time.
In contrast DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO is back at a track where he is two from two and the burst of spring weather will give him faster ground than expected. That is all in his favour.
Latest In Horse Racing
He won a quality novice here in December before disappointing at Kempton. But that could turn out to be a blessing as he is still potentially well handicapped and novices have a good record in this race.
That is why impressive Cheltenham winner Al Dancer and Challow Hurdle runner-up Getaway Trump look like big players. But both have been well found in the market whereas there is still value in Didtheyleaveuoutto's price. Do not leave him out!
The best bet at Wincanton is KERROW in the 4.05. He had some useful novice form two seasons ago before missing last term. He looked set to bounce back with a win at Bangor in November before taking a tumble at the last leaving Yala Enki to grab the spoils.
The winner has boosted the form since. Kerrow was pulled up at Cheltenham in December but that was a much hotter race and he has had a break since. Dropped in class now and with trainer Alan King's horses in terrific form, row in with Kerrow.
The best all-weather action is under the lights at Kempton and King can complete an across-the-codes double with CASPAR THE CUB (7.45).
The progressive handicapper has not been at his best in recent runs at Lingfield but he has won four times at the Sunbury track. His hold-up style means he never wins by too far so the handicapper has not been able to hammer him.
He holds Count Calabash and Pipes Of Peace on his latest run here and looks set to go in again.