The Weekend Winners team are back in search of winners at Ascot and Haydock in their latest episode – available now on the At The Races YouTube channel.
The panel of Kate Tracey, Sam Boswell and Declan Rick paid special attention bet365 Handicap Chase (2pm), run over two miles and five furlongs at the Berkshire Track – live on Ski Sports Racing.
Vincenzo and Bad currently lead the market, followed by Scarface, Etalon and Hitman.
Declan Rick…
“It looks like a really good opportunity for.” Vincenzo. I think four of the horses here are in the double digits in terms of age, so he’s not really taking the very progressive types. We know where we stand with a lot of these horses.
“Bad can be very good and he can be very bad, he probably wants better ground and a return to Kempton. Scarface also has a bridesmaid mark, while Etalon was very good last time at Ascot but is improving here. I always want to fight the favorite but it looks a really good opportunity for Vincenzo. than to strengthen.
“What still took him a bit of time was his jumping, he was a bit of a slow learner, especially going deep. He has a bit of a habit of dragging and going left, which wouldn’t be ideal around Ascot – especially some of those downhill fences. He had a good run in the Paddy Power behind Panic Attack and had a good result in G-December.
“What I’d say is 2/1 is as short as I’d like to go, and I’d hope to get 3/1 if I was greedy.
Sam Boswell…
“It’s a good race. December was a great case for the favourite, but I was trying to find an angle both ways in relation to the race. At the price I’m not sure Hitman will win for me – and yes, his winning percentage is bad – but he always threatens to produce. He was second here 12 months ago and people will point to Harry Cobden going for Neon Moon this weekend, but Hitman is usually ridden by Freddie Gyngell, who seems to get on well with him.
“What are we looking at this season? He was a winner at Aintree on a seasonal comeback – you can’t mess that up with Master Chewie second. Then he went to Huntington and wasn’t far behind Gello and Edwardston. I’ll play him.
“I’ll touch myself too.” Neon Moon. David Pipe – his most profitable song if you back him is Ascot (+£44 on a £1 stake). Harry Cobden drives and has a really good record when teaming up with David Pipe. The only thing I would worry about is the ground, if it’s good soft I’d be all over Neon Moon. I’ll have a little savings on him.”
Kate Tracy…
“I’m going for Scarface. I just don’t trust Vincenzo or Bad at the prices, and Scarface (by comparison) looks like a solid deal. Last time he was beaten by Etalon (over 2m3f), but was left behind.
“Scarface will be much more suited to the extra two furlongs he gets here. He has a good Ascot record which will hopefully come to the fore. In that last outing, he swapped blinkers for his usual cheekbones and it was good to see him bounce back from his previous Newbery efforts.
“He makes no secret of the handicap and actually got a £1 rise because of it, but he likes the track, he’s in the mix and when we talk about solid propositions – there aren’t many in this race. I’m hoping Scarface will show his consistency.”
Watch the Weekend Winners in full on the At The Races YouTube channel…