Today’s TV races
Alan King has a fine chance of landing his first Grade One of this jumps season when Balder Succes (3.50) lines up for the Ascot Chase today. The seven-year-old, who provided King with his last top-level success in April, could be described as underrated in view of his excellent record, having won half of his 12 starts over fences.
Today’s distance of two miles five furlongs looked likely to suit when he tried it for the first time last spring, winning Kempton’s Pendil Chase emphatically. But he has been mostly kept to two miles since then and has sometimes looked a bit short of pace.
He was able to resume winning ways when returned to a longer trip last time. That was a very winnable contest but he probably achieved a career best and deserves to be favourite here.
Ptit Zig is very promising and his jumping has been impressive to this point but this first step out of novice company asks a lot of him and the available odds do not compensate for the risk that he may come up short, at least on this occasion.
Ma Filleule would be dangerous if rediscovering her best form but she comes from a yard which has struggled with its established chasers this winter.
2.05 Ascot Virak could not live with Coneygree at Kempton’s Christmas meeting but there was no shame in that and he is otherwise unbeaten over fences. There was no fluke about his four-length victory over Deputy Dan back in October and that rival comes here with a lot to prove after three disappointing efforts.
2.20 Haydock It is very hard to recommend an actual bet on At Fishers Cross, given that he is favourite despite being winless in almost two years. But, despite the various weaknesses with which we are now familiar, he really should be up to beating these rivals on these terms.
2.40 Ascot A decent surface seems to help Hey Big Spender, a course and distance winner last spring, and he still looks fairly treated.
2.55 Haydock Benbens almost reeled in Samstown here last month but might be a shade flattered by that, as the winner was in front for a long time. Over this longer trip on a less taxing surface, Samstown may be up to confirming the form. His only defeat in his last four was at Cheltenham.
3.15 Ascot The step back in trip may help Unique De Cotte, who could not cope with three miles on soft at Newbury last time but had previously done well to score at Cheltenham.
3.35 Wincanton It may be worth taking on the market leaders, given that Irving flopped so badly last time while Sign Of A Victory was lame a week ago. Blue Heron remains unexposed and has a chance if not going off so fast as he did last time.
Good luck!
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