HIGHSTAKESPLAYER (3.45) looks to have something up his sleeve in the Sodexo Live Gold Cup.
He is unbeaten in six handicaps over fences and hurdles on right-handed tracks, so Ascot should suit Tom Lacey’s improving chaser perfectly.
His record on today’s good ground is equally impressive and he’s won on his return to action in each of the last two years.
There’s every chance he is still well handicapped as he rarely seems to win by far. Have 1pt each-way at 9-1. A couple of bookies are paying out on four places.
MATTERHORN (2.05) will also like Ascot’s drying conditions.
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He made hay when the sun was shining in the summer, rattling off a four-timer after switching to fences.
His winning streak came to an abrupt halt when a bad mistake early on led to him being pulled up at Newton Abbot.
He’s had a couple of months off the track since then but he should still have his core fitness, which is a big help with Paul Nicholls’ runners seemingly needing their first run of the season. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1. Sky Bet is offering four places.
Frontrunners have a superb record on Ascot’s 2m hurdles track.
BREAK MY SOUL (3.15) made all the running to win novice races at Fontwell and Chepstow in the spring.
The handicapper couldn’t be too harsh as he was beaten in a Newbury novices’ handicap in March but that was when Nicky Henderson’s team was going through a difficult patch. Have 1pt each-way at 17-2. Sky Bet is going five places.
Wetherby’s big card of the year doesn’t have such a plentiful supply of runners but TWIG (2.22) looks overpriced in the bet365 Hurdle.
He’s as tough as old boots and developed into a smart chaser last season after winning three times from six hurdles starts.
His second behind top prospect Chianti Classico in the Ultima Chase at the was a cracking effort, especially as the testing ground is not what he wants.
Today’s good ground helps and he might well be suited by the return to the smaller obstacles.
Fitness shouldn’t be an issue on his first start since April with his trainer Ben Pauling going so well. Have 1pt win at 9-1.
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