Best Of Bets

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  • Royal Ascot Day Five: Selections and Naps

    Royal Ascot Day Five: Selections and Naps

    Day Four was an up and down day at Royal Ascot. Tahiyra, tipped up by me three times, won in a messy race. And King of Steel proved his run in the Derby wasn’t a fluke. Today is the final day of what has been an incredible meeting, let’s finish on a high. Here are my Day Five picks.

    Scroll down for Selections on all seven races, live on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.

    ROYAL REPEAT

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    NAP: Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Stakes (GROUP ONE) – ROHAAN @ 10/1 (10Bet, William Hill, Boylesports, BetUK)

    Rohaan always seems to come alive at the Royal meeting. Two Wokingham’s, two wins. But now he’s too high for the handicap, but those two were just as good as Group One performances, and shouldn’t’ have trouble here. People may say that he is punching above his weight with the likes of the Aussie Artorius, and the Hong Kong raider Wellington, but I think he holds his own, especially when he’s at Ascot. His record is 4 wins out of six at the Berkshire track, and he finished fourth in a Group One last year. And, dare I say, the draw might suit him.

    Watch out for Kinross, who had a stellar season last year with many trips over the seven furlongs. He dropped back to six in the Champions Sprint Stakes here and wowed with an eye-catching performance. He’s been overtaken in the market by the two international raiders, and Highfield Princess, but he shouldn’t be discounted, particularly now with Frankie on form. Fourth-best in the market at 7/1 (Unibet, 10Bet, Betfred, William Hill).

    PYLE IN TOP GEAR

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    E/W BET: Hardwicke Stakes (Group Two) – Pyledriver @ 13/2 (Unibet, BetVictor)

    I can’t accept that Pyledriver is at that price, at course he loves, on ground he loves. He hasn’t been seen since winning the King George last year due to injuries and various setbacks, but William Muir and Chris Grassick love this horse, and won’t have run him unless he was 100% fit. He’s has lost to Hukum before, but he bounced back in the King George last year. He has some sketchy form when coming back of a break, but recently he’s been winning, and there’s no reason to say he can’t here.

    HAGGAS IN THE HANDICAP

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    Handicap Best: Wokingham Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – Khanjar @ 11/1 (BetVictor, William Hill)

    Looking at the pace map, it’s all over the shop, so draw may not matter. There is some pace coming out of stalls 25-28, and Khanjar can lock on to it from 24. Haggas has only sent out three runners, and ended up with a winner in Desert Hero. And the combination of Haggas, Crowley and Shadwell in a handicap should strike fear into their rivals. Plus his form makes for good reading; ran a good race at Hamilton (stiff track) and finished a length behind the winner. The cheek-pieces are on to sharpen him up, which is always a good sign. Plus a bit of C&D can’t go amiss.

    Looking further down the market First Folio for James Ferguson makes appeal at 25/1 (General). He has won a heritage handicap, the Macmillan Sprint at York in 2021 and finished sixth in last year’s Wokingham. He’s been given the same handicap rating as he did, but Taylor Fisher takes 5lbs off him and might give him a chance to finish a bit closer than he did last time.

    Another big price fancy is Kape Moss, who could provide a first Royal winner for Billy Loughnane. He rides for his father David, and claims a crucial 3lbs. Kape Moss may not have top class handicap form, but her last two races have been in listed company, and couldn’t just get to the winner at Haydock last time out. She’s well handicapped, and with a talented rider on board, she could spring a surprise at 28/1 (General).

    Selections:

    14:30 – Chesham Stakes (Listed) – La Guarida @ 7/1 (Boylesports)

    15:05 – Jersey Stakes (Group Three) – Olivia Maralda @ 6/1 (10Bet, Betfred, Boylesports, BetGoodwin)

    15:40 – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (GROUP ONE) – ROHAAN (NAP) @ 10/1 (10Bet, William Hill, Boylesports, BetUK), Kinross e/w @ 7/1 (Unibet, 10Bet, Betfred, William Hill)

    16:20 – Hardwicke Stakes (Group Two) – PYLEDRIVER (E/W) @ 13/2 (Unibet, BetVictor)

    17:00 – Wokingham Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – KHANJAR (H’CAP) @ 11/1 (BetVictor, William Hill), First Folio e/w @ 25/1 (General), Kape Moss e/w @ 28/1 (General)

    17:35 – Golden Gates H’cap – Lion Of War @ 6/1 (General)

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    18:10 – Queen Alexandra Stakes – Stratum @ 5/2 (Unibet, Betfred, BetVictor), Falcon Eight e/w @ 15/2 (Unibet, BetVictor)

    Best of Luck!

  • Royal Ascot Day Four: Selections and Naps

    Royal Ascot Day Four: Selections and Naps

    Day Three was a Royal day at Royal Ascot. His Majesty the King had the King George V winner in Desert Hero, and the King of Royal Ascot, Frankie Dettori won his final Gold Cup, to take his tally to an astonishing NINE. Today sees many bankers of the week, and it might be a day for the punters. Here are my Day Four picks.

    Scroll down for Selections on all seven races, live on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.

    RIGHT ROYAL PRECESSION

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    NAP: Coronation Stakes (GROUP ONE) – TAHIYRA @ 9/2 (William Hill)

    Tahyira will win. It’s as simple as that. She has faced Meditate three times in her career and has flew past her on all occasions, and there’s nothing to say she won’t here. Yes Ryan Moore is the leading rider, but I bet he wishes he was riding Tahiyra as she oozes pure class. She’s already been tipped up on my ‘Four To Follow’ page, TWICE. That just shows how talented she is. A great outside draw and she won’t see another rival in sight.

    DOUBLE DELIGHT

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    E/W BET: Commonwealth Cup (GROUP ONE) – Lezoo @ 12/1 (10Bet, William Hill) & Shouldvebeenaring @ 28/1 (BetVictor, William Hill, BetGoodwin)

    Little Big Bear is the class horse in the race, and has a perfect draw sat right next to the pace. He should win this, and is one of the certainties of the day. The question is who finishes in behind?

    Lezoo is back to her best distance. She never looked like a miler, which beggared belief when she ran in the 1000 Guineas. She won a Group One at two over six furlongs, and bagged the Princess Margaret over C&D before her Newmarket success. King Frankie has just started to get into his winning stride and loves riding for his owner friend Marc Chan. Second best horse in the field and has good stand-side draw.

    Then I have to have Shouldvebeenaring on side for this race. Bradsell flew down the centre of the course in the King’s Stand, and gave Little Big Bear and Shouldvebeenaring a big form boost, after coming out of the Sandy Lane behind these two. She is already a seasoned campaigner and remarkably consistent and can’t be left out of the places.

    Tricast: 1. Little Big Bear, 2. Lezoo, 3. Shouldvebeenaring

    OH RYAN, OH AIDAN, OH JACKIE

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    Handicap Best: Sandringham H’cap – Jackie Oh @ 11/2 (BetVictor, Boylesports)

    Once again, the handicaps are a bit of a struggle, but this immediately caught my eye. Aidan O’Brien loves putting an underperforming horse into a handicap. And Jackie Oh was disappointing in the Irish 1000 Guineas, and brings the Group One form to an underwhelming handicap. She’s perfect for the mile, as her grandsire is Rock of Gibraltar and a perfect stand side rail draw will help her progress. Plenty of questions about experience, and ground form. But Courage Mon Amis answered all those questions yesterday and Jackie Oh can do today.

    I was also took with Clounmacon in this race. Surprisingly this Johnny Murtagh’s only horse he is sending over to the Royal meeting, which must mean it has the best chance out of his stable, he won’t be sending her over for peanuts. Only beaten by a head in a Premier Handicap at the Curragh, and she’s only been put up 2lbs. She’s nice in the weights, and a middle draw might not be too bad, as jockeys’ have said the faster ground seems to be there. Nice e/w punt at 14/1 (General)

    Selections:

    14:30 – Albany Stakes (Group Three) – Matrika @ 8/1 (Unibet, William Hill, BetUK)

    15:05 – Commonwealth Cup (GROUP ONE) – Little Big Bear @ 11/10 (WIN) (William Hill), LEZOO (E/W) @ 12/1 (10Bet, William Hill) & SHOULDVEBEENARING @ 28/1 (E/W) (BetVictor, William Hill, BetGoodwin)

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    15:40 – Duke of Edinburgh H’cap – Al Nafir @ 11/2 (Unibet, William Hill)

    16:20 – Coronation Stakes (GROUP ONE) – TAHIYRA (NAP) @ 8/13 (Unibet, William Hill)

    17:00 – Sandringham H’cap – JACKIE OH @ 11/2 (BetVictor, Boylesports), CLOUNMACON @ 14/1 e/w (General)

    17:35 – King Edward VII Stakes (Group Two) – King Of Steel @ Evs (Boylesports)

    18:10 – Palace of Holyrood House H’cap – Frankness @ 16/1 (BetVictor, William Hill, BetGoodwin)

    Best of Luck!

  • Royal Ascot Day Three: Selections and Naps

    Royal Ascot Day Three: Selections and Naps

    What a difference a day makes! Royal Ascot Day Two saw Mostahdaf light up the turf and beat the NAP Luxembourg, but not after giving him a mention. And the E/W Bet, Rogue Millennium stepped down in trip and delivered in the Duke of Cambridge. Thursday is Gold Cup Day, but the card isn’t overly attractive. But I’ve managed to dig through to hopefully find some winners on Day Three.

    Scroll down for Selections on all seven races, live on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.

    ELDAR TO GRAB THE GOLD

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    NAP: Gold Cup (GROUP ONE) – ELDAR ELDAROV @ 9/2 (William Hill)

    Named after the famous MMA fighter, Eldar Eldarov has done nothing but impress. Last season he delivered an eye-catching run at the Royal meeting, in the Queen’s Vase which set him up for the St Leger. This season, he’s started rather well. A narrow second at York on firm ground was good prep for this marathon contest. He’s the highest rated horse, which is no surprise. The Gold Cup doesn’t look as sexy as we have had in previous years, and it’s Eldar’s for the taking.

    Keep an eye on Subjectivist, the 2021 winner. He ran a good prep race in the Dubai Gold Cup, which had been his previous prep for the 2021 edition. He’s back from a break of two years, shaped well over in Dubai and can improve from that today. Double figure price at 10/1 (10Bet, BetUK)

    ROYAL RARE-BET

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    E/W BET: Hampton Court Stakes (Group Three) – Caernarfon @ 12/1 (10Bet, William Hill)

    I can’t wrap my head around how a top-rated horse, who finished third in the Epsom Oaks, is a double-figure price. She seems so versatile on all sorts of ground with wins on Good, soft, and placed on firm. She drops down two classes from Group One to Group Three, which might be more her level and a slight step back in trip won’t trouble her much. Jack Channon deserves something for training this horse, and hopefully he can get her over the line today.

    DAVID VS ASCOT

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    Handicap Best: King George V Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – Davideo @ 8/1 (William Hill, BetUK)

    The handicaps today aren’t the best quality fields and I can’t seem to see any horse screaming out at me to make a case. Apart from Davideo. Surprisingly, recent winners haven’t come from the famous London Gold Cup, and tend to be found coming out of maidens. He has form finishing behind Mostabshir at Kempton, but hosed up at Newmarket on reappearance this season. He’s been given a fair mark of 92 and wide draw on the round course isn’t necessarily a bad thing

    Land Legend just caught my eye in this race. Chesspiece didn’t’ win his race yesterday and didn’t back up the form, but after turning to turf his form looks to have improved. A win and a second isn’t to be sniffed at, and a two-pound rise is lenient and puts him at a decent mark for the race. Each-way claims at 16/1 (Unibet, Betfred, William Hill, BetUK)

    Selections:

    14:30 – Norfolk Stakes (Group Two) – Elite Status @ 11/8 (General)

    15:05 – King George V Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – DAVIDEO @ 8/1 (William Hill, BetUK), Land Legend @ 16/1 e/w (Unibet, Betfred, William Hill, BetUK)

    15:40 – Ribblesdale Stakes (Group Two) – Al Asifah @ 8/13 (Betfred, BetUK)

    16:20 – Gold Cup (GROUP ONE) – ELDAR ELDAROV (NAP) @ 9/2 (William Hill)

    17:00 – Britannia Stakes (Heritage H’cap) – Fort Vega @ 16/1 (General), Ramazan @ 25/1 (General) – Both e/w

    17:35 – Hampton Court Stakes (Group Three) – CAERNARFON @ 12/1 (10Bet, William Hill)

    18:10 – Buckingham Palace H’cap – Northern Express @ 16/1 (General)

    Best of Luck!

  • Royal Ascot Day Two Selections and Naps

    Royal Ascot Day Two Selections and Naps

    Day One at Royal Ascot wasn’t a great day for the column. The NAP landed, when Paddington hacked up in the feature, but Bring On The Night got trapped and Cuban Thunder was never involved. But Royal Ascot is very much a marathon and Day Two should start to turn the tide.

    Scroll down for Selections on all seven races, live on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.

    MOORE MOORE MOORE

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    NAP: Prince of Wales’s Stakes (GROUP ONE) – LUXEMBOURG @ 9/4 (10Bet, Boylesports, BetUK)

    A treble for Ryan Moore yesterday took his total winners at the Royal meeting to 76 yesterday, after an astonishing treble on River Tiber, Paddington and Vauban. A £1 treble would have paid out £15.20, which shows the pull of the almost-40-year-old jockey. Today he rides Luxembourg, who’s been tipped in my Four To Follow column, when he won the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He led all the way, fending off Bay Bridge in the latter stages and there’s nothing to say he can do it again from stall one on the round course.

    Keep an eye out for Mostahdaf, who is unbeaten off a 50+ day break, and is making his UK reappearance, and seems to have a good draw on the wide outside in draw six. Both Jim Crowley and the Gosdens’ seem to have gone under in terms of winners, but this horse has to have been strategically aimed at this race, and is Group One level with a rating of 121, 2lbs lower than Luxembourg. Completely the wrong price at 20/1 (General).

    A ROYAL ROGUE

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    E/W BET: Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group Two) – Rogue Millennium @ 12/1 (Betfred)

    I like Prosperous Voyage, and there is much debate about what the ground will be by 3:40 in the afternoon. Prosperous Voyage loves the firm ground, but any cut and she’s vulnerable. Given Ascot had a storm yesterday, it puts me off her. The next best rated is Rogue Millennium. She’s had decent form figures since the turn of the new season, 232, narrowly beaten at York last time out on the firm ground. She won’t mind the ground, and Group Two is at her true level and she’ll give Jumbly a true test on the straight track.

    AN INTELLOGENT BET

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    Handicap Best: Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage H’cap) – Intellogent @ 8/1 (Unibet, 10Bet, Betfred, William Hill)

    Perotto is the favourite, and every punter has said in every preview ‘Perotto is my bet of the week.’ Well, well done tipsters he’s now 7/1. So, it tempts me to look elsewhere. I looked underneath Perotto in the betting and Intellogent stood out. Ran a stormer last year off 105, and lost by half a length. He’s rated 104 this  and that mark that makes him appealing; he’s versatile on all grounds; and, he’s drawn one off the stand side rail in 31. James Doyle has a nice 26% strike rate to back it up.

    Ghaly also caught the eye. Not just in the formbook, but when I saw him in person at York last year. He kept on in a four-runner handicap at York, beating Blue For You by a neck, which was his second run off a massive break. He then beat King Of Conquest, and the race threw up great formlines. He’s on the other side f the track in stall eight, but Saeed bin Suroor had hit a sweet spot, and Oisin Murphy is always eye-catching. Next best at 10/1 (William Hill)

    Chasing Aphrodite also gave off good each-way vibes. Won the trial for this race at the Trials meeting, and the handicapper has raised him four pounds for a length-and-a-half win. Versatile ground-wise, with wins on Good and Good-to-firm ground and Hayley Turner always turns up at Royal Ascot. Prepare for an excitable Ed Chamberlain if Hayley’s victorious. Decent claims at 16/1 (William Hill)

    One more for the Hunt Cup, and Dunum represents good Irish form. Narrowly beaten when favourite in the Emerald Mile, but has been consistent throughtou his career. 1111212 read his form figures and a 4lbs rise will mean nothing to him, having defied 6lb and 9lbs rises before. Bookies have the main Irish raider at 14/1 (10Bet, William Hill, BetUK)

    Selections:

    14:30 – Queen Mary Stakes (Group Two) – Got To Love A Grey @ 10/1 (General), Bundchen e/w @ 16/1 (General)
    15:05 – Kensington Palace Fillies’ H’cap – Adelaise @ 7/1 (General)
    15:40 – Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group Two) – Jumbly @ 9/4 (General), ROGUE MILLENNIUM E/W @ 12/1 (Betfred)
    16:20 – Prince of Wales’s Stakes (GROUP ONE) – LUXEMBOURG (NAP) @ 9/4 (10Bet, Boylesports, BetUK)
    17:00 – Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage H’cap) – INTELLOGENT @ 8/1 (Unibet, 10Bet, Betfred, William Hill), Ghaly (10/1) Chasing Aphrodite (16/1) & Dunum (14/1) all e/w
    17:35 – Queen’s Vase (Group Two) – Peking Opera @ 6/1 (General)
    18:10 – Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) – Bombay Bazaar @ 10/1 (General)
  • Royal Ascot Day One: Selections and Naps

    Royal Ascot Day One: Selections and Naps

    It’s that time of year. The sun is shining, the suits are hired, it must be Royal Ascot. Top hats galore and top-class action from all around the world. Australia and America join in today, along with British and Irish. Day One is set to be a cracker. Here are my selections and naps for the one of the best meetings of the Summer.

    Scroll down for Selections on all seven races, live on ITV Racing and Sky Sports Racing.

    PADDINGTON TO BEAR THE BRUNT

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    NAP: St James’s Palace Stakes (GROUP ONE) – PADDINGTON @ 5/2 (William Hill, BetVictor)

    There are many races this week which punters are saying are ‘the races of the week’. This is one of them, with the English and Irish Guineas winners facing off. Chaldean is 3lbs higher than his Irish counter-part, 119 to 116. But there is one thing that lets the Frankel colt down. The draw. Since the turn of the millennium, four winners have come from stall one. Many horses are boxed in on the rail and haven’t room to move. Paddington is drawn wide in eight, and if he can get a better start he had in the Irish Guineas, he’ll be hard to get past. Read more on his chances on Best Of Bets.

    Keep an eye out for Indestructible, the Craven winner. He’s already tipped up on Best of Bets, and he isn’t without hope. He underperformed in the English Guineas but has been kept fresh for this race. Firm ground will suit him, given he won by five-and-a-half lengths as a two-year-old on the surface, and a good outside draw in stall nine. 50/1 (General) seems overpriced.

    And don’t discount Isaac Shelby, who’s a decent each-way price of 9/1 (General). He won the Greenham Stakes, where Chaldean unseated. He almost made up for it when narrowly losing in the French Guineas. The ground will be a little firmer, and could go well, with a half-decent draw in stall three.

    PERFECT STORM IN THE COVENTRY

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    E/W BET: Coventry Stakes (Group Two) – Cuban Thunder @ 50/1 (Betfred, William Hill)

    I feel Cuban Thunder is overlooked. He’s experienced enough with two races under his belt, including a win last time out, which came in the Frank Whittle Partnership Conditions Stakes. Lusail, Repartee and Queen Olly are recent winners of the race who haven’t had bad careers since then. Dominic Ffrench Davis has a good record when prepping Amo Racing’s two-year-olds. Kevin Stott has chosen to ride Bucanero Fuerte, but Rossa Ryan isn’t a bad substitute. Stand-side draw might be where the winners come on the straight course this week, worth to keep an eye on.

    MOORE AND MULLINS TO BRING IT

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    Handicap Best: Ascot Stakes (Heritage Handicap) – Bring On The Night @ 9/4 (Unibet, Betfred, William Hill)

    Willie Mullins is operating at a 57% strike rate. Over the jumps, in the off season. He’s a genius. He has a good record at the Royal meeting as well with four winners in this race. Those four winners came in a period of six years between 2012 – 2018. Ryan Moore was on three of them. Moore is currently operating at a 33% strike rate and has also won leading rider at Royal Ascot nine times. Bring On The Night has been raised 4lbs since last year’s second, and hasn’t been seen since. Bring on the Ascot Stakes I say!

    Keep an eye out for Themaxwecan who loves the firmer ground. He raced in last year’s race, finishing midfield off a mark of 97. After that race he went and won a race at Ascot over two miles on firm ground with Jamie Spencer on board. This time he’s 92, 5lbs lower than last year’s mark. He hasn’t got a great record over two miles, but with a good mark and good conditions he could certainly get a place at 40/1 (General)

     

    Selections:

    14:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Modern Games @ 9/4 (Unibet, William Hill), Chindit e/w @ 14/1 (William Hill)
    15:05 – Coventry Stakes (Group Two) – Givemethebeatboys @ 4/1 (Unibet, William Hill, BetUK), CUBAN THUNDER E/W @ 50/1 (Betfred, William Hill)
    15:40 – King’s Stand Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Highfield Princess @ 5/2 (Unibet), Twilight Gleaming e/w @ 25/1 (Boylesports)

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    16:20 – St James’s Palace Stakes (GROUP ONE) – PADDINGTON (NAP) @ 5/2 (William Hill, BetVictor), Indestructible e/w @ 50/1 (General)
    17:00 – Ascot Stakes (Heritage H’cap) BRING ON THE NIGHT @ 9/4 (Unibet, Betfred, William Hill), Themaxwecan e/w @ 40/1 (General)
    17:35 – Wolfreton Stakes (Listed) – Francesco Clemente @ 11/2 (Betfred, BetVictor)
    18:10 – Copper Horse Handicap – Absurde @ 6/1 (Betfred)

    The very best of luck!

  • 33/1 Royal Ascot 2023 Tip – Ante-post analysis

    33/1 Royal Ascot 2023 Tip – Ante-post analysis

    Royal Ascot 2023. The premier Flat racing meeting of the year is only a few days away and with plenty of questions requiring answers on the track, I’ve taken a deep dive into the big races to provide five, yes five, ante-post selections.

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    The five-day meeting is a showcase of the sport’s best worldwide talent and this year should be no different.

    I’m excited for it to start and without any hesitation, let’s begin!

     

    Craven winner overpriced?

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    At 33/1 with BetVictor for a Craven winner after running poorly on ground that wouldn’t have suited, INDESTRUCTIBLE looks overpriced to me in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

    Karl Burke’s colt by Kodiac was very impressive at Newmarket in April having made most of his running from the middle of the track on a day where the far side rail looked to be an advantage.

    Furthermore, in the opening furlong of the Craven, they were a bit slow, but by the time the three-pole rolled around, Kevin Stott was unable to stop his mount from pulling to the front at an even pace, so if the likely pace angle of Mostabshir sets a nice pace we could see a better performance from Indestructible.

    And looking at that Craven form alone, The Foxes in second would go on to win the Dante Stakes at York and Mostabshir, the 7/1 fourth-favourite for the St James’s Palace, was back in fifth place before he bolted up in a novice race at York one month later.

    Of course, I respect the two Guineas winners at the top of the market, more so Chaldean over Paddington, and I think GALERON can be dangerous for Charlie Hills after a promising run in the Irish 2000 Guineas, but at the top of my list for value is Amo Racing’s charge at 33/1 with BetVictor.

     

    Calling on a former fancy

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    Last month’s Chester Cup was a near miss for my two BestOfBets.com selections. Call My Bluff was a good third behind the winner, Metier, and CALLING THE WIND looked like an eyecatcher in sixth.

    I’m siding with one of them again for the Ascot Stakes at 5:00 on Tuesday and it is the latter who gets my vote at 14/1 with BetVictor.

    Last time out, Jamie Spence gave Richard Hughes’ seven-year-old a canny ride to be one of the last off the bridle at Chester, though he wasn’t able to make this count as he found himself in a pocket around the bend.

    Once a gap opened up, he showed a good turn of foot, but Rajinsky moving across him in the final few strides didn’t help and he eased up to the line.

    Despite this great run, the handicapper dropped him one pound for the run and with Billy Loughnane on board next week, he will effectively run off a four-pound lower mark.

    Furthermore, better ground might see him at his best as his third in last year’s Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot and third to Coltrane at Sandown after that suggests he is versatile.

    Calling The Wind is my first handicap bet of the five at 14/1, though he isn’t the last.

     

    Big enough price

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    I start this fancy off with a tone of annoyance.

    Earlier this week, I looked at the early entry handicap races and PEROTTO at 12/1 was an attractive bet in the Royal Hunt Cup.

    Since then, top tipsters Paul Kealy and Rory Delargy have put him up and his price has halved to 7/1 with BetVictor, however, as the title suggests, the price is big enough to still back him.

    In his two years since his Britannia Stakes win in 2021, Roger Varian’s New Bay gelding has yet to return to the winners’ enclosure, which is a small worry, but his runs behind Baaeed, Megallan, Benbatl, My Oberon, Triple Time, and Sir Busker is very good form.

    Now running off his last winning mark of 99, he will be primed for one of the feature handicap contests.

     

    Experience to the fore

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    Moving on to the final day of action at Royal Ascot, I’m taking a chance with EMARAATY ANA at 40/1 with BetVictor to upset the Australian brigade at the top of the market.

    Although he is seven, Kevin Ryan’s Shamardal gelding still showed plenty of life at the Breeders’ Cup when second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint on firm ground over five-and-a-half furlongs.

    The Group 1 winner has only run at Royal Ascot once in his career when disappointing in last year’s renewal of the Jubilee Stakes, however, his record when running after a 50+ day break is 1/11 so the run at York last month should have him set for a big run this time around.

    Although Highfield Princess, if she turns up, has already beaten him at York over five furlongs, Emaraaty Ana was actually ahead of her when they last met in that Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and if they were to meet over six furlongs, that would play to his strengths.

    He may be coming towards the end of his career, but recent runs suggest he is as good as ever and 40/1 is a massive price about Emaraaty Ana.

     

    The best bet

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    And finally, in one of the concluding races of the week, ORAZIO is the NAP at 8/1 with BetVictor in the Wokingham Stakes.

    The four-year-old by Caravaggio was very impressive over course and distance last time out when showing a good turn of foot to comfortably defeat his seven other rivals.

    That Ascot performance directly followed a gutsy effort at Newmarket the month before so he couldn’t be in any better form.

    The promising thing about his recent wins is that it obviously took the yard a bit of time to get him right as shown by his 17-month break from the track at the end of 2021, so now he is winning with confidence, he is finally showing everyone what his £215,000 yearling price tag promised.

    The better ground shouldn’t be a worry and Orazio is the NAP of Royal Ascot.

  • Festival Focus: Cheltenham Day Two Handicaps

    Festival Focus: Cheltenham Day Two Handicaps

    The second day of the Cheltenham Festival is for the two-mile chasers as the Champion Chase takes centre stage at 15:30.

    Wednesday also sees the Grand Annual immediately follow over the same course and distance, a race that is the second handicap of the day thanks to the ultra-competitive Coral Cup earlier in the card.

    Therefore, BestOfBets has taken a look through both races to try and find a few interesting fancies.

    WEDNESDAY – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 

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    Difficult. Very difficult. 

    The first horse that stands out is BEACON EDGE for Noel Meade in the famous Giggingstown House Stud silks at 12/1 with William Hill. 

    Since his Grade 1 Drinmore Novices’ Chase victory nine starts ago, the nine-year-old has had a tough time of things in Graded company having failed to finish in the places in five of his last six starts. 

    However, since returning to hurdles, he ran a great race behind Blazing Khal, the now Stayers’ Hurdle favourite, in the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle last time out, and the British handicapper has only brandished him with an extra two pounds for the run.  

    For a horse who was a close third to Honeysuckle in the 2020 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle in November 2020, he can be competitive off a mark of 147 on his first handicap attempt. 

    Of the rest, I am again sticking with the Irish here as both TAX FOR MAX and THE VERY MAN look to be very interesting.

    The former ran a good race behind Gaelic Warrior in the Liffey Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival but found a few horses too quick for him and this step up to 2m5f should suit very well.  

    As for the latter, he is relatively unexposed at this distance, having finished third to Darver Star, a 149-rated hurdler, in September 2022 when carrying 10 pounds less than the winner. 

    He was slightly disappointing in the Martin Pipe last season, however, he ran a great race in the ‘Up The Yard Challenge Race’ last time out at Punchestown, a race that isn’t in the formbook of this horse on the Racing Post, beating the nifty Scaramanga when giving away six pounds on the flat – Scaramanga is officially rated 147 by the British handicapper, so with The Very Man running off 139, he looks to be well handicapped, especially with seven-pound claimer Conor Smithers booked for the ride.

     

    WEDNESDAY – Grand Annual Handicap Chase 

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    We are three races into the handicap analysis and I am yet to fancy a British horse (apart from the mention of Cloudy Glen in the Ultima).  

    Does this change now?  

    YES! 

    Two horses are on my radar for the Grand Annual, and the first is trained by the very in-form David Pipe team who are running at a 26% strike rate at the time of writing. 

    I’m taking a big swing and hoping he returns back to form, but SIZING POTTSIE is a massive price at 25/1 with William Hill.

    Let’s get the negatives out of the way first: he has been soundly beaten on his last two starts in Graded company in both the Desert Orchid Chase and Clarence House Chase. In his most recent spin, he was held up right at the back alongside Edwardstone, tactics that have rarely seen him win in the past and this was a similar case in the Desert Orchid too. 

    Before that, he bolted up on stable debut in a novice hurdle at Ayr when well-fancied and he was only beaten by five lengths in the Listed Newton Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock in November – the winner of that race was Tahmuras, a Grade 1 winner in the Tolworth Hurdle and a general 10/1 shot for the Supreme.

    Harking back to his days with Jessica Harrington in Ireland, he was rated 155 at his peak when beating the likes of Master McShee, Entoucas (second in the 2021 Grand Annual), and Cut The Mustard, as well as holding solid form behind Melon, Energumene, and Captain Guinness (in a maiden hurdle). 

    The handicapper has given him a right chance off 140 having dropped him 15lbs from just three chase races. He may not be at his best anymore, but for this nine-year-old, I’m happy to take the chance off this rating.

    It wouldn’t be a handicap chase at Cheltenham without mentioning a Gordon Elliott runner and I think he could have a nice one in CALL ME LYREEN at 20/1 with William Hill.

    There was talk that this seven-year-old could have been heading to the Plate Handicap Chase instead, but it seems like connections have decided to come here.

    His form behind Visionarian from July has worked out very well and he was running two very good races behind much higher-rated horses in Kilarney and Listowel earlier this season before a terrible mistake hualted his progress.

    Off a workable 145 rating, he could be a potential Graded horse in a handicap if his race behind Kemboy and Easy Game, a contest he fell in when travelling ver well, is anything to go by.

  • Cheltenham Festival: Champion Hurdle Day handicap preview

    Cheltenham Festival: Champion Hurdle Day handicap preview

    The Cheltenham Festival. A place where dreams are made of and hopes are shattered on the floor. Seven races per day, four times over, all around the hallowed turf of Prestbury Park.

    Plenty of time is spent trying to work out the Championship races on each day, but throughout all the cards, the handicaps offer a brilliant stage for betting angles and each-way edges.

    To try and help guide you through each day of the Cheltenham Festival, Best Of Bets lists some of the key players in the handicaps on day one of horse racing’s Olympics.

    TUESDAY – Ultima Handicap Chase

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    Starting with the opening handicap race of the week, the Ultima, there are a few on my shortlist for the 3m1f contest.

    Firstly, I thought CLOUDY GLEN for Venetia Williams could outrun his odds at 20/1 with William Hill. This 10-year-old was second in the 2021 Kim Muir off a mark of 140, only five pounds below his current rating, in a race won by the very impressive Mount Ida. Two starts after that, he won the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (old Hennessy) off the same mark in a tight finish with Fiddlerontheroof with the pair pulling 28 lengths clear of Brahma Bull in third.

    After that, he was disappointing in his next two starts before having a year-long lay-off and then he ran a great race to finish in the places at Haydock in the Grand National Trial last month. I think he can run a massive race off 145.

    However, the horse I’ll be hanging my hat on is THE GOFFER at 12/1 with William Hill for the Gordon Elliott stable.

    He’s only a six-year-old and has plenty of improvement about him. What’s interesting about him is that he won at the Dublin Racing Festival off a mark of 138 in early February, a rating that could have got him into the Kim Muir with a cracking chance even with the Irish tax applied to him by the British handicapper.

    However, connections decided to send him to the race on the last day, a contest he won, and now he’s rated 11lbs higher off a mark of 149. Now, that may be steep, but he collected victory over potentially the wrong trip and he was very good throughout. I think he is the classy horse of the race and potentially the one to beat.

    TUESDAY – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

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    Sticking with the Irish, I am chancing Charles’ Byrnes’ BYKER in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

    Coming into Sunday, I was all over Common Practice for Joseph O’Brien, however, he was the only horse not to be declared for the race, so I’ve had to switch it up a bit.

    Up four pounds from his official Irish mark, the four-year-old Le Havre gelding ran a great race to finish third on his last start behind Sir Allen at Naas in Febuary when giving away seven pounds.

    Now in handicap company, he is rated three pounds below the formerly mentioned Andrew Slattery-trained runner for just a two length defeat.

    He looks to move through his races very well and at 7/1 with William Hill, he looks like the most likely winner in my eyes.

  • Cheltenham 2023: BestofBets’ value e/w festival punts

    Cheltenham 2023: BestofBets’ value e/w festival punts

    Having broken down Cheltenham week with our extensive festival build-up, we’ve already covered the favourites for glory this year, so now lets get down to the real fun:

    This year’s long-shots. The e/w punts.

    We all love a big-price flutter and there is no better time to do so than at Cheltenham.

    Here at BestofBets we’ve had our thinking caps on all week and after a winter glued to National Hunt action and scouring the form, we have our shortlist.

    Here are our Cheltenham 2023 value picks.

    Tuesday, 14:50, Ultima Handicap Chase (Group 1, 5yo+, 3m1f)

    To begin, we look to the Ultima Handicap Chase.

    We were toying with Gordon Elliott’s The Goffer, however, in the end Our Power gets the nod.

    Chiefly, but not exclusively, the decision was down to his impressive run in the Coral Trophy a fortnight ago.

    On that occasion, we backed the Sam Thomas-trained 8yo and we do so again.

    That was first outing of the season at Kempton, and Our Power showed no sign of rust in going toe-to-toe with an extremely game Flegmatik.

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    Now a seven-time winner but fifth in this race last year, improvements will be eyed.

    The only bone of contention might be whether Charlie Deutsch or Sam Twiston-Davies are aboard.

    Both have won one apiece for the Walters and Potter Group in the last two.

    Regardless, the Ultima again looks an open affair and in the horse’s sixth Cheltenham and fourth festival appearance, this could just be his time.

    Carrying a 16/1 price with BetUK and with a real finish in the tank, Our Power is potentially one of the stronger e/w punts.

    Wednesday, 16:10, Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Group 2, 5yo+, 3m6f)

    For our second pick, we are going all sentimental for one of our paddock favourites in Snow Leopardess.

    Other than the Stayers’, the Cross Country Chase is the festival’s big endurance contest.

    Having been on the fence about her before, after being narrowly pipped to victory in the Grand National Trial Chase, we are more than happy with the 11yo’s chances here.

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    The trip to Aintree may well be the priority after last year’s disappointment but Charlie Longsdon’s grey was very game in her previous festival outing.

    Fourth in the National Hunt Novices’ in 2021, with the going soft, this old mare can get down in the trenches.

    Her National Trial really felt like a eye-catcher and at 20/1 with BetVictor, Snow Leopardess has more than a shot.

    Friday, 13:30, JCB Triumph Hurdle (Group 1, 4yo, 2m1f)

    For our final two punts, we are skirting Thursday and hurdle straight to Friday, first to the day’s opener.

    In a straight contest between the 4yos in the Triumph Hurdle, we are excited about a heftily-priced Zenta.

    A horse we have had in our tracker since Fairyhouse last month, this filly is looking for a third win on the bounce, carrying the JP McManus colours.

    Oh, and the other, rather appealing tag of Willie Mullins.

    Whilst that does not guarantee success, the chances of it occurring at Cheltenham are that much greater.

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    Snapped up by Mullins last September, the Closutton native was quoted in the Racing Post saying that Zenta will ‘win lots of prizes’ if she keeps her jumping together.

    With due caution, though this will be Zenta’s British debut but with a huge step-up in calibre, she is in perfect hands with Paul Townend as currently planned.

    Many fancy one of Mullins’ other fillies in Lossiemouth for this trip, but we can see Zenta going well.

    Comfortable over the trip and at 25/1 with BetVictor, she could impress on the big stage.

    Friday, 15:30, Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Group 1, 3yo+, 3m2½f)

    Okay. So the consensus is Galopin Des Champs should be too strong for the big one.

    However, that won’t stop us with the last of our punts, Sounds Russian.

    An 8yo trained by Ruth Jefferson, the gelding also caught the eye on Trials weekend back in January.

    Runner-up to Ahoy Senor in the Cotswold Chase at 8/1, the son of Sholokhov finished well despite a number of mistakes on the home straight in front of the stand.

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    Sounds Russian has come home second on the bounce with a runner-up at Wetherall on Boxing Day also.

    If we look at his wider record, a worst place of fourth is not too shabby a career since debuting in May 2021.

    A three-time winner at Kelso with a further victory at Sedgefield, he was fourth again in the Many Clouds at Aintree at the end of last year.

    So, despite this being a massive step-up in class, with most bookies set to pay out 4-5 places, an e/w punt at the very least looks interesting.

    More especially, set at 20/1 across the board, Sounds Russian could just surprise a few.

  • Cheltenham 2023: BestofBets’ festival favourites

    Cheltenham 2023: BestofBets’ festival favourites

    The Cheltenham Festival. One of the big betting weeks of the year across the British Isles and many miles farther afield.

    As the cream of the National Hunt scene assemble once more in Gloucestershire, 28 races across four days lie ahead.

    This year’s edition on paper, has more arguably more open races but there will of course always be the favourites.

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    That tag on many occasions – particularly at Cheltenham – has often led to thousands of betslips being shredded in ire.

    This is sports betting, after all.

    But of the races on the slate, just where is the big money for Cheltenham 2023?

    We’ve highlighted one from each day of the festival.

    Tuesday, 3:30, Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1, 4yo+, 2m½f)

    Where else can we begin than with Constitution Hill.

    Though not undefeated after a debut loss, everything to follow has been molded to gold for the British gelding.

    Not yet at the two-year point of his career, the 6yo has destroyed the competition in his last five contests by over 10 lengths.

    Romping to last year’s Supreme by 22 lengths, Constitution Hill and Nico De Boinville are unbeaten since December 2021.

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    Taking down Epatante twice in-a-row, the French mare is back for another crack, however, State Man appears the biggest threat.

    The overwhelming Champion Hurdle favourite, Constitution Hill could be pushed after Willie Mullins’ horse won the Irish equivalent last time out.

    Beating both Vauban and Honeysuckle at Leopardstown, State Man was a Cheltenham debut winner last year also in the County Hurdle.

    Mullins might yet believe he is in the fight but from a betting point of view, Constitution Hill is a sure thing.

    The biggest of favourites at 1/3, now available at evens with William Hill’s Epic Value offer.

    Wednesday, 4:10, Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, (Grade 2, 5yo+, 3m6f)

    Of the four days, picking Wednesday’s favourite banker is the hardest, but Delta Work appears the best shot.

    Having taken the baton from mighty stablemate Tiger Roll in last year’s epic face-off up the hill, the now 10yo spearheads Gordon Elliott’s charge.

    Third in the Grand National as a follow-up act last spring, a narrow win then came at Punchestown back in November.

    His last outing at Cheltenham however, was far from a shining example of his ability.

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    Nor was finishing sixth at Navan last time out to eventual winner and now Stayers’ Hurdle pick, Blazing Khal.

    Delta Work has a chance of revenge here however, in a race he knows how to outlast the field in.

    With the predicted softer going after this week’s deluge, it looks the sensible bet.

    The most interesting narrative on hand, Davy Russell – a two-time National winner with Tiger Roll in the same colours – jumps on board here.

    A contest that has suited his elder custodians in the past, Delta Work is still a decent 11/10 with William Hill.

    Thursday, 2:50, Ryanair Chase (Grade 1, 5yo+, 2m4½f)

    How sweet it is to see Shishkin back in racing colours and seemingly at his best.

    Like last year before the Champion Chase, the son of Sholokhov will go off as favourite to take his festival tally to three wins.

    But will 2023 see redemption?

    A former winner of the Supreme and the Arkle, Shishkin feels like a Cheltenham veteran but has much to prove in the Ryanair Chase.

    Pulled up 12 months back, Shishkin failed to travel and was left rather sore.

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    Rather worse off in coming third in his first outing this season, the Tingle Creek, Shishkin sustained a kick before the race at Sandown.

    Forced to undergo wind surgery, he then roared back with a 16-length romp in the Ascot Chase only weeks ago.

    Leaving his many fans dreaming again, Blue Lord will be a tough opponent, but Shishkin looks a good bet for another Cheltenham win.

    A fairly heavy favourite at 4/5 with Betfred.

    Friday, 3:30, Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1, 5yo+, 3m2½f)

    And so to the big one. The main event of the week.

    Galopin Des Champs is the favourite in the markets by some way and surely Gold Cup winner-in-waiting.

    It feels like destiny is waiting to send the French 7yo home.

    Memories of his fall at the final fence on St. Patrick’s Day last year are still fresh in the mind for punters.

    Then looking for a fifth win on the bounce in the 2022 Turners’, mount Paul Townend led Rachael Blackmore up the hill by some 12 lengths.

    With victory almost assured, Galopin Des Champs then inexplicably stumbled and fell leaving Cheltenham stunned.

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    Almost apologetically, Bob Olinger then cantered to the winning post almost unchallenged.

    Lesser horses may have been mentally scarred by such a loss, so how did this gelding respond?

    Winning the Novice Gold Cup Chase at Fairyhouse, of course.

    Then this season, the Punchestown Chase; and more recently the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

    All is in place for one more Gold Cup to be added – and on St Patrick’s Day no less.

    With a winning margin by at least 8 lengths in every race since, cynics might say only a fall could deny him again.

    There is huge goodwill for Galopin Des Champs and at 15/8 with Hills’, there is also ample value.