Saturday's Ascot Chase Meeting Offers Prime Betting Opportunities
This Saturday's racing calendar is headlined by the Ascot Chase, the final Grade One event of the season before the Cheltenham Festival. While the feature race itself may seem a foregone conclusion, the supporting card presents several intriguing betting prospects for punters seeking value.
Ascot Chase: Jonbon Expected to Dominate
The Ascot Chase at 3.35pm is anticipated to be a straightforward victory for the favourite, Jonbon. With ideal conditions regarding trip, track, and ground, he stands head and shoulders above the competition. However, his current odds of 8/15 offer little appeal for ante-post wagers, prompting savvy bettors to look elsewhere on the card for more enticing opportunities.
Handicap Hurdle: Jurancon Emerges as a Value Pick
The two-mile-and-three-furlong handicap hurdle at 2.25pm is a competitive affair featuring several unreliable contenders. The favourite, Tripoli Flyer, has shown promise but is prone to jumping errors and finding ways to lose, as evidenced in a recent Ascot outing. Other entrants like Listentoyourheart, Captain Teague, Act Of Authority, and Fiercely Proud all face significant questions, particularly with potential rain affecting conditions.
This opens the door for Jurancon, trained by the in-form David Pipe, who boasts a 33% strike-rate over the past fortnight. Jurancon has already secured six career wins, including three last season as a progressing novice. A notable victory came against Tripoli Flyer at Chepstow. After a wind operation in the summer, his reappearance run at Cheltenham in November was likely needed, and a subsequent disappointment on better ground can be overlooked. With the stable now hitting peak form, Jurancon appears dangerously well-handicapped and is targeted for this race, making the 10/1 odds highly attractive for each-way support.
Staying Handicap Chase: Joyeux Machin Poised for Redemption
In the staying handicap chase at 3.00pm, Joyeux Machin stands out as a compelling selection. He was travelling strongly before falling at Doncaster in his last start and is expected to give backers a thrilling run. Tristan Durrell returns to the saddle aiming to make amends, and with trainer Dan Skelton likely eyeing a major Saturday prize, the 8/1 price represents excellent value for a horse of his calibre.
Haydock's Grand National Trial: Git Maker a Strong Contender
Over at Haydock, the William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial at 3.15pm features another Skelton runner, Deafening Silence, with solid claims. However, for those seeking a bigger-priced alternative, Git Maker at 10/1 is an appealing proposition. He finished third in this race last year and thrives on soft ground, a perfect profile for the contest. His recent run in the Welsh National can be disregarded due to unsuitably fast going, and the handicapper has dropped him to 129, nine pounds lower than his mark twelve months ago. With Myretown likely bypassing the race for Kelso, Git Maker's task is eased. Trainer Jamie Snowden is in excellent form, matching Pipe's 33% strike-rate, suggesting Git Maker can seriously challenge the favourite.
Saturday Pointers Summary
- Jurancon each-way – 2.25pm, Ascot
- Joyeux Machin each-way – 3.00pm, Ascot
- Git Maker each-way – 3.15pm, Haydock
