Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I look best of Friday’s action at Ascot.

I had the pleasure of going out Christmas Shopping with the good lady on Thursday. I’m not sure if it was a pleasure or not to be honest. Some of the shops were absolutely rammed and M&S food was like a living hell.

Anyway, I’m tired and slightly grumpy writing this but here goes.

Ascot

The start of two days of racing of Ascot that completes the pre-Christmas action. It’s a six-race card at Ascot and 61 runners have been declared albeit 25% of them run in the Listed bumper (3:40) that concludes the card. I have to say the latter race looks seriously competitive. The line-up is just one short of the maximum field and half of the field have claims.

The feature race on the card is the Grade 2 Howden Noel Novices' Chase (3:05). In comparison to the bumper its attracted just four runners. Mind you it's possible to make claims for all four of the runners.

Djelo made it 2-2 over the fences when winning a handicap at Newbury three weeks ago. Capable of better and he’s a worthy market leader. The one to beat.

Kandoo Kid also won at Newbury on the same day as Djelo he’s another going the right way over fences, but he may not be as well positioned as the favourite in a race lacking pace.

Might I finished alone after his only rival’s saddled slipped at halfway at Exeter last month. A useful hurdler he’s probably capable of better over fences.

Unexpected Party has disappointed on his last two starts after winning a Listed Novices’ Chase at Chepstow on his seasonal return. Is more exposed than his three rivals but looks the sole pace angle.

12:45 – Howden Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m 5 ½ f

Roger Pol was 2-4 in bumper company last season and got off the mark at his second attempt over hurdles when beating six rivals at Fakenham (2m) last month. Looks on a workable mark for his handicap hurdle debut and his jockey can claim a handy 10lb. The 5-year-old steps up 5 ½ f in trip in this conditional jockey’s handicap hurdle but his full brother Minella Crooner won over 2m 7f so he should improve for the step up in trip. If you fancy him, I wouldn’t put you off and 11/4 might turn out to be generous.

Mot A Mot has only had two starts since winning a better handicap (2m 3f) at Newbury in April 2022. He pulled up on his sole start over fences last season and looked badly in need of the run when 5^th of 7 at Exeter 26 days ago. He should be sharper here and the first time cheekpieces make of interest off his last winning mark. Trainer Sam Thomas is 5-11 + 8.45 with his runners here in the past 5-years.

1:20 – Howden Maiden Hurdle (Class 3) – 2m 5 ½ f

Welcom To Cartries was beaten a head on his hurdle debut here (2m 3 ½ f) 28 days ago. The winner has since gone onto finish runner-up to Dysart Enos at Cheltenham. Today’s extra two furlongs should suit, and he sets a high standard.

Leader In The Park shaped with plenty of promise when a 2 ¼ length 2nd of 5 over C&D 27 days ago. He should improve further and looks the biggest rival to Welcom To Cartries.

1:55 – Howden Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) – 2m 1f

Just the four have been declared for this Novices' Limited Handicap Chase and I can’t look beyond the favourite Persian Time.  The 5-year-old made a promising chase debut when a 5 ½ runner-up to Djelo at Newbury three weeks ago. He’s open to further progress over the larger obstacles. I think he can beat consistent Homme Public who will like the ground but was a lucky winner of a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time. Useful hurdler Authorised Speed looks on a workable mark for his chase debut but will need his jumping to be spot on to beat Persian Time and Homme Public.

2:30 – WB Wealth Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) – 1m 7 ½ f

The early betting suggests this is between Bad, Immortal and Jagwar and I tend to concur.

Immortal is interesting dropped back to 2m and is on a winnable mark. Jagwar is open to further improvement on handicap debut.

Bad ran his best race since joining Ben Pauling when a ¾-length 2nd of 8 to Hansard in the Gerry Fielden at Newbury 20 days ago. He’s up just 2lb and Beau Morgan takes off 5lb which negates the weight rise. He’s not much of a price at around 11/4 but this represents a significant class drop for the top-weight and I think he should win.

3:40 – Thames Materials Open National Hunt Flat Race (Listed Race) – 1m 7 ½ f

The biggest field and arguably the most interesting race on the card. Brechin Castle made it 2-2 in bumpers when winning a Listed race at Cheltenham last month. He has a 4lb penalty to carry for that win but remains the one to beat. That all said he faces some interesting rivals who are capable of better.

Let It Rain (Dan Skelton) won a Warwick bumper on racecourse debut last time. Captain Bellemy (Paul Nicholls) looked like a nice prospect when winning a Chepstow bumper on stable debut 52 days ago. Dunskay (Ben Pauling) made a winning bumper debut at Exeter 32 days ago and he’s another who can take another step forward.

Celtic Dino (Sam Thomas) won over C&D on his racecourse debut last month. He only has 6lb to find with Brechin Castle on RPR’s and could turn out to be the biggest threat to the hat trick seeking favourite.

Friday Verdict:

It’s one of those cards where I wouldn’t be at all surprised if all six races fell to the favourite. There’s not a whole lot of value to be hard in truth and there’s only outside the first three in the betting in their respective that I have a slight fancy for. In the end I opted with the likely favourite in the 2:30 for today's selection.

Friday Selection:

Ascot

2:30 – Bad.

Good luck with your Friday bets.

John