Festive Favourites For the Ascot Double Header
Ascot provides some early Christmas cheer this weekend with a double header spanning Friday and Saturday.
Can Nicky Henderson Be King of the Hill?
With three career wins from six starts and three second places finishes, Six-year-old Josses Hill is certainly the one to watch this weekend at Ascot.
The Nicky Henderson trained gelding was given a well-earned break over the summer after an impressive win in the Grade Two International Festival For Business 2014 Top Novices’ Hurdle, where he ran out a comprehensive winner of six lengths.
Barry Geraghty is at the helm tomorrow in the 2 mile 3 furlong Mitie Novice’s Chase. With victory already this year on Josses Hill, it’s no surprise that he is riding the bookie’s favourite.
Tizzard Won’t Need A Cue Card This Weekend
Colin Tizzard trained Cue Card is a gutsy horse who finished second in the King George VI chase on Boxing Day last year. He has a strong chance in this year’s race, with a second yesterday at Newbury at the hands of Daryl Jacobs. He’s one to watch for the King George VI ante post market.
Tizzard has two runners on Friday at Ascot, with the standout contender being Thistlecrack in the 15:40. The six-year-old gelding won last time out at Wincanton by three lengths and priced at 14/1 for the race, he has a decent each way chance.
Tip of the Day
15:05 Ascot: Spartan Angel
Six-year-old mare Spartan Angel, has won two out of her four starts this year in the hands of jockey David Bass. Her last win came at Worcester in a two mile, four furlong Mares Maiden Hurdle in June where she comfortably beat Call Me Emma by six lengths.
Trained by Nicky Henderson, she is a stable mate of some of the most dominant horses currently involved in national hunt racing.
Tomorrow’s Mitie Handicap Hurdle is run over two mile, six furlongs – a small step up in trip on her last outing. She had a dip in form on soft ground last time out and that seems the only thing that could affect her.