The Weekends Racing – by The Sportsman Racing

Ascot hosts a strong card and the key betting heat is the Challenge Cup at 3.35. It’s worth looking for a big priced winner in this event with 50-1, 33-1 and 20-1 shots crossing the winning line first in recent years. My two against the field are Jack Dexter and Captain Ramius. Jim Goldie’s, Jack Dexter is habitually slow away from the stalls which is a concern but he put up his best career performance last time out in the Ayr Bronze Cup over 6f. Again lackadaisical from the traps he finished with an electric burst of speed to power away from a strong field, succeeding by two lengths. The extra mile will be to his benefit. Captain Ramius scooped the pot in the Ayr Gold Cup two weeks ago for Kevin Ryan with a gargantuan performance and it’s worth following this in-form horse. The Challenge Cup entries were made long before Captain Ramius bolted up at Ayr and he therefore remains in front of the handicapper. The ground will be different from his last win but he has proven himself a versatile performer on the going and must hold a big chance over his preferred 7f. At the headquarters of racing Havana Gold is fancied in the £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2yo Trophy. Richard Hannon loves winning these huge purses with his juveniles. Havana Gold is progressive and saved his best for his last outing when thrashing the opposition in a Group 3 over the same course and distance as Saturday’s big race. He can notch win number five and remain unbeaten. Race And Status looks the chief threat and is worth a saver having made an eye-catching debut at Newbury in a maiden which he won with ease. Two and a quarter lengths behind him that day was favourite Bright Strike who had put up impressive displays previously at Newmarket and York. Race And Status debut race was run at a solid pace with a good timefigure and it should pay to follow the principles from that Newbury maiden. Key Arc Trends (Last 10 years) 10/10 Winners previously won at Group 1 level 9/10 Winners ran within last 50 days 9/10 Winners drawn from stall 8 or lower 8/10 Winners priced 10-1 or shorter 8/10 Winners won last time out 7/10 Winners came from top 4 in betting]]>