- This topic has 27 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 4 months ago by
.
- Posts
Entries out, but no market as yet…..
https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/2/ascot/2019-12-21/744639
Goes without saying that there’s more than or two jumping out…..
Vinndication is obviously the class act, and his performance here earlier in the season was excellent. He won that in good style, and returning here giving weight away might, just might, tempt connections to swerve a red hot King George. Big decision for them, but this is a very nice prize in itself.
Black Corton and Regal Encore chases him home that day, and could reoppose him here.
Black Corton is probably high enough in the weights for overall achievements, but at the same time, his run here, as well as making the frame in The Galway Plate, gives him a realistic chance, and he shouldn’t be far away.
It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve given Regal Encore a good word, and it’ll be no different here. I don’t think he was done with at Newbury when he blundered, in fact I think he’d have made the frame, so there may have more to come here from a former winner of the race. His overall record suggests his current mark is lenient. He’ll remain a horse I swerve Antepost, but whereas he’s normally a backup horse of mine, he wouldn’t be far off the head of the shortlist right now.
Another horse vying for that unfortunate prize, is Belami Des Pictons. No secrets about his run in The BetVictor, where he went in more than one notebook. This is exactly the type of race that trainer targets, and off his current mark, he looks a big player. Worth noting as well that they saw fit to give him a King George entry, and he’s a big fancy. I’d say he’s likely to be near the head of the market.
Venetia can call on Calipto as well, but the entry of Yalltari catches the eye more. Fine run behind Mister Malarky in The Reynoldstown, but not seen since. I’d assumed he was injured, having not been out since then, but reappearing in the Entries here, in a race Venetia targets, then he joins his stablemate as a big fancy for me. Even a quick glance at last season will show a horse with bags of potential.
That Reynoldstown win was the highlight of Mister Malarky’s career, but he’s started this term as a definite underachiever. He was very disappointing here behind Vinndication, and after briefly looking threatening in The Ladbroke, he faded away. Questions to answer, bot least having been scratched from The Welsh National, and it looks debatable if he’ll turn up here.
The Munir/Souede silks were carried to victory in this last year by Valtor, and this year they could be carried by Kildisart and Dragon D’Estruval. Kildisart was a little disappointing at Carlisle, but I suppose no harm in getting thumped by Lostintranslation. He looked good last spring, but as mentioned earlier on here, trainer form is a concern, and on that basis, I’d reluctantly pass him over, at this stage anyway. Dragon D’Estruval is more interesting. Not necessarily on what he’s accomplished, but he shaped with a bit of promise here last month, and as Henderson has taken the last two runnings of this, then that run might just be a sign of better to come.
Henderson can also call on Newbury flood, On The Blind Side and Ok Corral. On The Blind Side has had his issues, he’s not been out very often, and his run at Newbury suggested he might have another issue. On that evidence, it might be a surprise if he went here. Ok Corral is an intriguing one. I was hopeful about him in The National Hunt Chase, but if being honest, I thought he was brushed aside rather easily. Although I thought he was worth considering as a potential horse for Newbury’s big race, his short price in the lead up, had me scratching my head, with little to back it up. That might be telling though, and maybe the books knew something. Certainly, considering Henderson’s record in this, and being a JP runner in a race JP seems to really like, then he looks worth forgiving that Newbury (and Cheltenham) blip, and he fits the profile of what I look for here.
Ok Corral and Regal Encore are not the only potential JP Runners, and though Onefortheroadtom is a nice enough sort, I’m a lot more interested in Jerrysback. Unlike Ok Corral, he really impressed in The 4 Miler, but he might just be more suited to this type of trip, and after a nice stroll at Newbury the other day, he should strip fitter here, and he’s another who can very definitely be considered.Trevor Hemmings is another high profile owner to taste success in this, and considering his Touch Kick, in the yard of another winner of this, Paul Nicholls, then he’s a contender to take seriously.
Nicholls full team of….
Black Corton
Give Me A Copper
Sametegal
Secret Investor
Touch Kick…is a strong one, they all look worth a crack at this. I’d favour Give Me A Copper, but very hard to take a strong view on any of them, until running plans are clearer.
Neil Mulholland tasted success in this before, and though not his only entry, Impulsive Star would be the most appealing one for me.
Gary Moore always targets these big Ascot Chases if he can, and great to see Baron Alco back on the go. It’s hardly been straightforward for him since his big day in The BetVictor, but he’s good enough, and providing all is well with him, it’ll be interesting to see if he can handle this trip.
Last but not least, for now anyway, is potential Irish Challenger Ex Patriot. Ellmarie Holden would hardly be the most fashionable trainer, but she’s done well with this boy, and I’ve long thought he’s got a big handicap in him. Unfortunately he can’t be bet any time soon, as he has other engagements on his own doorstep. Still in an interesting one though.
There’s loads more in there, but those were the ones jumping out.
This can be a hard race to gauge from an Antepost angle, and although I’m holding back more on early bets, I’m particularly hesitant with this one.
Certainly in no rush right now, but this is the early shortlist….
Belami Des Pictons
Give Me A Copper
Jerrysback
Ok Corral
Regal Encore
YalltariVinndication scratched from King George, so this looks very much the plan.
Still no market up.
Fifteen left standing here, but unfortunately all six from my shortlist are still there.
Far too difficult to call then, and couldn’t even consider an early play.
It’ll be Ten Bob EW on the six of them at this stage.
I see belami des pictons was actually dropped 1lb for his eye catching run last time
Hes very well found in the market though at 6/1
Cant decide whether to back him or not
If a few come out at the 2 day stage can see him being 3s
Mister Malarky 9-1
6th in the Ladbrokes Trophy. This is a drop in class. Down 2lbs after last run. Course and distance winner. He’s not declared to go anywhere else as far as I know.
Update 18/12: Rethink required with ground expected to be Heavy on Saturday.
If he gets declared, I will definitely be with Belami Des Pictons here. If that’s not the case then I would consider Give Me A Copper.
Think Jerrysback wins this!
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!I had been keen on Acting Lass as there had been some good reports about the stable thinking he had a lot of potential a year or two back and stable tour also positive noises re: softer ground this season.
I read the race notes of his Chepstow win and was ready to push the button but then watched the video. Hmm. Jockey had to work quite hard. Horse looked unenthusiastic on the approach to a lot of fences, and when instructed to go and win. Also technique over a fence not great.
It’s an interesting race- arguments for and against so many- but gonna sit it out. Good luck everyone else
Mister Malarky at 7/1 is worth chancing that he will improve
for his 2 relatively disappointing runs after a long break. His form last year would put him
right in the picture for this and if he needed the runs he should be spot on here.Once again going for Regal Encore. He was in the Ladbrokes Trophy last time, still in de mix when he belted a fence at Newbury, so we can forget about that run. Before that he was second over course and distance behind Vindication, who was laughing at his handicap mark. Regal Encore is on the same mark and could close again.
Regal Encore 18/1 EW
Kidisart and Mister Malarky stand out as potential graded horses and I’ve backed both in EW doubles with Lord Du Mesnil and Top Wood in the Tommy Whittle
I’ll just stick with Regal Encore as well, pretty much for same reasons as DBR.
I’ve said before that he’s perennially overpriced, and can’t believe the 18’s. Still wouldn’t surprise me to see him a late Non Runner mind.
Kicking myself for missing prices on Jerrysback and Yalltari, but race was just too tricky on the build up. I’d be surprised if that pair weren’t bang there at business end.
Regal Encore 18’s EW 4 Places
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.