Hi all,
Its Wednesday. So, it’s my weekly delve into the ante post betting markets. Normally I would just focus on the upcoming weekend racing but occasionally I will look at a race due to be run later in the season. Today is one such day, as I like a French filly for the Arc. I also have a selection running this afternoon at Wexford which bids to follow up yesterday's winning Catterick tip.
Ante Post Angle
Dan can dazzle at Ascot
There’s’ plenty of competitive handicaps this weekend and there's one that has caught my eye and its Dazzling Dan at Ascot.
Dazzling Dan was very much an improving sprint handicapper last season winning twice at Newmarket. On the last occasion, in August, he beat recent Group 1 Diamond Jubilee winner Oxted.
He hasn’t been at his very best subsequently but there were hints that he was coming to the boil at the right time. Last time at Newbury he travelled kindly. However, he made his effort on the far side. Whilst the eventual winner and second and third made theirs more near to middle side. He still ran on, all the way to the line to finish 5th. This was his best effort, so far in 2020.
He’s entered in Saturday’s Bagshot Handicap at Ascot. Now 1lb below his last winning mark he looks a solid each way punt for Saturday's race.
Saturday August 8th
Ascot
1:50 – Dazzling Dan – 12/1 @ William Hill (paying 4 places 1/4 odds)
Lively Arc contender emerges
This years Arc is still two months away but has all the makings of a fantastic race if the likes Of Enable, Love, Fancy Blue, Ghaiyyath, Magical and Sottsass all turn up.
Another lively contender emerged last week at Deauville in the shape of Raabihah.
The 3-year-old didn’t race as juvenile but won her first two starts of 2020. Before being pitched into the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly.
There was plenty of market confidence behind her that day and she didn’t disappoint finishing a close-up 4th behind Fancy Blue, who has since followed up in the Nassau Stakes. In second was Alpine Star who had previously won the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and just one place in front of Raabihah was the Irish 1000 Guineas winner Peaceful.
The race was a bit messy but Raabihah was only beaten ½ length into 4th. Shaping like a filly who would appreciate the step up to 1m 4f.
Raabihah gives Rouget Arc hope
A daughter of Arc winner Sea The Stars out of a Kingmambo mare. Raabihah came out at Deauville last week and showed a good turn of foot to land a 1m 2f Group 3 in impressive style. You can watch her Deauville win here.
After her win trainer Jean-Claude Rouget told Sky Sports Racing:
“For me, she is a champion filly. She started very late, but she's very classy – I've not trained one like her before, which is why I was so down after the Prix de Diane.
“She will go to the Vermeille (next) – and if she wins easily, she could go to the Arc after that.”
I liked this performance very much. They went a decent pace and then she showed a nice turn of foot to quicken away. There’s room for more improvement for a step to 1m 4f and she looks a real Arc contender.
She’s 20/1 with William Hill and Sky Bet and if she wins the Vermeille she will be a lot shorter for Europe’s top middle-distance race.
I liked her performance. They went a decent pace but she showed a nice turn of foot to quicken away from her rivals. There’s room for more improvement for a step to 1m 4f and she looks a serious Arc contender.
Raabihah – 20/1 @ William Hill & Sky Bet
Wednesday racing
I’m off to Wexford for today’s selection.
Wexford
2:30 – Double Windsor hasn’t exactly got the most exciting profile, just 1 win from 30 runs over hurdles. However, he’s improved with each of his three starts since returning from a winter break. Last time out the 8-year-old beat all bar an improver at Cork 12-days ago.
The handicapper has raised him 4lb for that performance which makes life tougher but the booking of 7lb conditional Eoin Walsh keeps the selection on a competitive mark.
His best form has come here, two career wins here, both over fences, and his last five form figures at the venue are 13142. Looks sure to give his running for an inform yard.
Selection: Double Windsor –– 6/1 @ Bet365 – each way
Until tomorrow
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk