Today’s best bets, by Chris Cook
I have hopes that it will be another fine day at Ascot for Gordon Elliott, who won the Ladbroke at this meeting last year with Bayan. It’s on days like this that I remember the early phases of Elliott’s career, when he was substantially more successful in Britain than in his home country — indeed, he won the Grand National before he won a single jumps race in Ireland.
It seems that everyone else remembers that, too, as Woodford Island (3.05) is 11-4 from an initial 4-1 for today’s handicap hurdle for conditional riders. This promising four-year-old showed major improvement on his handicap debut in a first-time tongue tie at Punchestown a fortnight ago, running on strongly into second after meeting trouble.
I should think he’s a fair way ahead of his mark, though he will need to be. He’s partnered by Jack Kennedy, the very popular young jockey in Ireland now seeking his first British win.
Earlier, Ink Master (1.20) appeals at 11-2 in the novice handicap chase, fencing having been mentioned by connections as his game when he hosed up over hurdles at Worcester in October. He went well for a long way in a much hotter race at Cheltenham the following month. This looks a good opportunity for his chasing debut.
At Wolverhampton tonight, Spicy Jam (5.40) looks overpriced at 8-1 from the Marco Botti stable that has a 21% record at the track. This three-year-old filly won a couple of Listed prizes in her native Italy and appears handicapped to compete in this country, judged on her debut fourth at Kempton last month.
She stayed on strongly that day behind a winner who was left alone in front. The hood is taken off this time and she may have a stronger pace to chase, which would help.
Christmas quiz of the racing year - WIN a £100 bet today!
Our annual quiz of the year in horse racing will go live at 1pm, so keep your eye on our home page. Don’t miss the start because speed is everything. The winner will be whoever gives most correct answers that had not been given by someone else already. Our winner this year gets a £100 bet from Betfair!
Tipping competition, day five
Our winners so far:
Monday
Bob Ford 8-1
Black Narcissus 9-4
Hernando Torres 6-1
Tuesday
Turtle Cask 3-1
Star Presenter 13-2
Frozen Force 10-1
Wednesday
Exmoor Mist 9-4
Hill Fort 7-1
Katkeau 6-1
Thursday
Waldorf Salad 5-1
Long John 10-1
Ballyegan 6-1
And our leader is. . .
Bocuma_TJ +13.25
... who had Long John AND Ballyegan, his third and fourth winners of the week. Other good scores: Shrewdette +13, killkennyben +10.50, Crasivo +9.25, Ken Woodward +8, jakesnake1 +7.75, fatdeano +6.50, DrClaw +5.
For today’s thrilling climax, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.30 Ascot, 2.55 Uttoxeter, 3.05 Ascot.
This week’s prize, kindly offered by William Hill, is a £25 bet on the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day, which they sponsor.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -12.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
Good luck!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
