Most punters love a course specialist and the unsung Mr Medic (3.00) appears to have the happy knack of running well around Ascot. Robert Walford’s runner can get a third success at the Queen’s track in Saturday’s Bet365 Handicap Chase.
Mr Medic got up near the line when he scored at Ascot just before Christmas in 2017 but he won with much more authority when stepped up to this distance there in November. He went up the weights for that but was running another big race at Cheltenham last month until making a horlicks of the fourth-last. At 8-1 he makes lots of appeal.
Jerrysback would be one to fear if he showed up, though his first preference is reportedly a race at Haydock. San Benedeto is also of interest.
1.50 Ascot The only defeat in Culture De Sivola’s last four starts was on her seasonal reappearance, when she was unfavoured by the weights but still ran with credit. Judging by ratings, she should be very competitive here.
2.05 Haydock It is a pity that Angel’s Breath does not run here, having been favourite when betting opened this week. Nicky Henderson said he wanted to look at the horse’s trachea wash before making a decision, so it is to be hoped the potential star is not actually under the weather. The Lambourn trainer seems to have found an able substitute in Mister Fisher, a winner at Kempton on Boxing Day.
2.25 Ascot A step up in distance seemed to help Ballymoy at Haydock before Christmas, when he took his record to five wins from his last six starts. There is more to come from Nigel Twiston-Davies’s runner, though there will need to be if he is to land this Graded contest.
2.40 Haydock This looks a good opportunity for the admirable Silver Streak, who was giving 4lb to Brain Power when runner-up in Cheltenham’s International last month. He returns to the course and distance over which he won the valuable Swinton Handicap Hurdle in May.
3.15 Haydock A chance is given to Ballydine, who remains unexposed as a staying chaser after just five runs over fences. He put up a fine effort in the Mandarin last time and was beaten only by a well treated rival. A tongue tie and cheekpieces are now tried, while James Bowen rides for the first time.
3.35 Ascot This ought to be straightforward for the mighty Altior, who remains unbeaten in 16 starts over obstacles. He faces only two rivals, one of whom, Diego Du Charmil, trailed him by 19 lengths three weeks ago at Kempton. The other is Fox Norton, who could give the favourite a fight at his very best but has been off the track for more than a year. This is Altior’s to lose but anyone tempted to back him at the likely odds should consider the range of things that could go wrong; after all, three of the five shortest-priced runners from his stable in the past fortnight have failed to win.