Royal Ascot Betting: Bankable won't go the Big Brown way

Royal Ascot / Maxliu / 16 June 2008 / 1 Comments

Red-hot Royal Hunt Cup favourite Bankable is likely to prove the 'Betfair horse' of the week at Ascot.

On the book Bankable is a horse with plenty going for him and many backers will see the current [2.88] on Betfair as a steal. But, on the flip side, a number of layers will be more than willing to take him on, given that he is such a skinny price in a very competitive, big-field handicap.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin commented: "I suspect that this handicap good thing is exactly the type of horse the exchange layers will be out to get, and I can see him trading at [3.5] or bigger on the exchange on the day.

"Big Brown looked unbeatable in the Belmont Stakes last week but he was opposed out to [1.33] on Betfair, and the layers collected.

"While this may seem alien to most High Street punters, even if you fancy a horse for your life, there is always a price where you would rather be against it, than for. Or rather should be.

"And so it will be with Bankable at Ascot. The true trading price may just turn out to be [3.5] - or maybe bigger."

The official handicapper would give Bankable an extra 14lb if he could frame the weights again, but there are others in the line-up who are on the upgrade and he is just 7lb ahead on Timeform ratings.

Timeform representative Kieran Packman explained: "Obviously Bankable is extremely well-treated and the most likely winner based on Timeform ratings, but both We'll Come (7lb behind) and Extraterristrial (8lb) are worthy of considerable respect after their most recent efforts at Ascot and Chester.

"Many punters will remember only too well the likes of Killer Instinct (officially 12lb well in) and Medicean (officially 15lb well in), who were beaten at 7-4 and 5-2 respectively in consecutive John Smith's Cups.

"Having said that, Bankable appears here on the back of a comfortable Listed win which has been franked by Lady Gloria subsequently, and we'd certainly be in the play, rather than lay, camp."

Comments (1)

1. John Dalton. | 18 June 2008

   Bankable should in thery be an absolute certanty but you never know in horseracing and on paper he should win easily on the bridge and I think he will good trainer and jockey get on..