The G1 Ascot Chase tops the bill on Saturday and our ante-post betting market is already live. It doesn’t look like the most open renewal, that we could have hoped for, but there are a couple of horses that might challenge the market-leader, if he’s not on his game.
View Full Ante-Post Market Now!Cue Card
It’s his first time back on the track, since he was beaten by Thistlecrack in the King George at Kempton. Cue Card finished just over 3 lengths behind his stablemate and with both Silviniaco Conti and Tea For Two both up alongside him.
That triple-formation support-act didn’t suggest that the form of the renewal was especially strong and Thistlecrack’s subsequent defeat by the sadly-departed Many Clouds did little to dispel doubts.
All this means that our ante-post market for the Cheltenham Gold Cup now looks wide-open and it will remain so, however well Cue Card performs on Saturday.
Trainer, Colin Tizzard, told Racing UK: “Cue Card is going to go. He’s been a good old boy for us. He’s ramping up the gallops this week, we’ll give him a school, Paddy (Brennan) is coming down. Then it will be straight to Ascot and we’ll see how he gets on there.
Royal Regatta
There’s no doubt that this King’s Theatre-sired 9-year-old has talent, but he’s remained inconsistent throughout his career and connections were sent back to the drawing-board again last month.
He was never likely to even place, in the G1 Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham, but a bad jump at the 8th fence led to him quickly weakening and pulling-up with 3 obstacles still to be tackled.
He had previously won the 1965 Chase, here at Ascot, beating the likes of Kylemore Lough, God’s Own, Vibrato Valtat and Dodging Bullets and he can be a threat against all but the very-best of steeple-chasers when his mind is on the job. Royal Regatta is in with a shout, although probably can’t win unless Cue Card comes to grief.
Taquin Du Seuil
Jonjo O’Neill’s inmate is now at the grand old age of 10 and you have to go all the way back to the 2014 Cheltenham JLT to reach his last victory that didn’t come in a handicap encounter.
A mistake at the 11th fence, in the Leopardstown Lexus Chase, put him on the slippery slope in that contest last time out but O’Neill will probably think that 5th place was a reasonable return given his recent form.
Taquin De Seuil is a doughty campaigner, but (as with Royal Regatta) it’s hard to see him winning this race if Cue Card makes it home.
With just 6 runners in this race, it’s not one that each-way backers will get too excited about and Traffic Fluide, Shantou Flyer and Irish Cavalier all look held on current form.
Ascot Race Tickets
If you want to buy Ascot races tickets, the best thing to do is to contact the Ascot box-office on 0844 346 3000. This is a freephone number, if you are calling from the UK. For most of the meetings (including Saturday’s), buying tickets shortly before the event will not be a problem. This will not be so easy with Royal Ascot. You should look to secure your tickets well in advance. Royal Ascot is one of the most important meetings in global racing and demand for tickets is extremely high.
Ascot Race Days
If you are looking to visit Ascot, why not avoid the queues and bet online? RaceBets offer betting on all of the major races and there will be special promotions for many big encounters at Ascot throughout 2017.
If you have never had an account with us before, you will be able to claim RaceBets special welcome bonus. We will match your first deposit (up to a maximum of £50) and you will still be able to get all of the other top promotions that we offer on a daily basis.
View Full Ante-Post Market Now!
