Friday, October 27, 2006

Jumping returns to Ascot

Jump racing returns to Ascot tomorrow and, despite trainers' concerns over the ground, the course appears to have done a good job in attracting competitive fields, especially as this meeting clashes with Wetherby's well established Charlie Hall Chase meeting.

Having watched Crossbow Creek win as he liked two weeks ago at Kempton, he makes plenty of appeal in the opening seven runner race, particularly as he is priced up at between 4/1 and 6/1 on the Sporting Life web site this evening. The going, the right handed track and his recent facile win are all in the horse's favour.

The main danger is likely favourite Andreas from the Paul Nicholls' stable. Of the other runners, Bleu Superbe is getting no younger at the age of 11, both Palua and Demi Beau have proved difficult to win with in the past, Stance needs to improve and Briscoe Place has done all his winning in lower grade events. Crossbow Creek looks a value bet to overturn Andreas.

In the 3.45 Charlie Mann's Moon Over Miami is likely to be sent off odds on. I bet this horse at Kempton last time; he ruined his chance by pulling too hard early on. If the freshness is out of his system he will be difficult to beat but may be worth taking on with Orpen Wide who is officially top rated and has a seven pound claimer on board. He's of interest priced at around 7/2.

Over at Wetherby the soft / heavy ground will take its toll. The Charlie Hall Chase has ten runners but looks ultra competitive and full of imponderables; a race to watch and enjoy rather than bet on.

1 comment:

GeeDee said...

Two selections and two winners, although the starting prices were considerably shorter than originally anticpiated.

Crossbow Creek won at 9/4. Although winning well enough in the end, on balance you would say he had the run of the race and looked to have lost his chance with an error four out.

Orpen Wide won at 13/8.

Our Vic had a top class field struggling a long way out and won the Charlie Hall Chase at 6/1.