Feature racing this weekend takes place at the famous Ascot Racecourse courtesy of the iconic Clarence House Chase Raceday, with the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase taking centre stage on the Saturday. It is going to be a wonderful event, and here are our picks for the best bets, as well as the latest horse racing odds on NetBet.
Written by Jake Wilkes
*All odds are subject to change
13:40 | LA CONQUIERE – 7/4 (WIN)
While La Conquiere has a bit to find on ratings, her upward trajectory indicates she can progress past her experienced rival, Nurse Susan. She has done very little wrong in her career to date, finishing runner up in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree, before winning both starts over hurdles in warm contests. She has finished in front of some smart prospects in Dream Shadow and Charisma Cat, and her improvement doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. After a miserable campaign over fences, Joyeuse could prove a threat by re-capturing her old hurdles form, which saw her win the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury last year.
14:20 | VINCENZO – 9/4 (WIN)
Vincenzo appears to be a victim of the system in recent starts, being raised 6lb by the handicapper despite not getting his head in front. However, his runner-up efforts in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Greatwood Gold Cup are the best pieces of form on offer, and warrant a rise in the weights. A re-production of those efforts should see him go close against rivals who don’t seem to win too frequently. Of course, Bad runs Ascot well but all his wins have been at Kempton, while Scarface and Hitman are often the bridesmaids – and never the bride!
14:53 | MARCHE D’ALLIGRE – 8/1 (E/W)
If Marche d’Alligre benefits from stepping up an extra three furlongs, he could out run his odds in a trappy handicap hurdle. He is held in high regard by the Snowden team and throwing this five-year-old into a deep race like this showcases the faith. He always shapes like stepping up in trip will help, and a touch of rain would also boost his cause. In a tough-looking contest, his price stands out against the likes of Tripoli Flyer and Faivoir, who are talented horses suffering at the top end of the handicap. Patriotok will one day bounce back to form, and is much better than a mark of 119. Figuring out when this will be, though, is like the preverbial lottery.
15:30 | IL ETAIT TEMPS – 11/20 (WIN)
I see no reason to oppose Il Etait Temps in the Clarence House Chase, and the closer he gets to even money, the more excited I get. He has battered Jonbon on his last two starts, the latter who seems to need a stronger stamina test these days, which leaves Thistle Ask and Gidleigh Park as his remaining rivals. The Skelton horse has improved no end since joining the Warwickshire yard, but is in the deepest race to date and does not have the form to compete with the market principles. Gidleigh Park is interesting based on his Grade 2 win over course and distance last year, but his forays over further indicate two miles may not be his best trip.
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