Weekend Racing From Ascot: The horses to watch on Saturday's Betfair-sponsored card

General / Wayne Bailey / 17 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

Richard Johnson and Planet Of Sound pictured here following their win in The William Hill Gold Cup Chase at Exeter.

"Planet Of Sound had made his mark in handicap company when winning the William Hill Gold Cup Chase at Exeter and it looks like he has a bright future ahead. The extra couple of furlongs here should make all the difference and by my calculations, he’s going to be the one to beat."

Wayne Bailey is making the trip across the Irish Sea to take in the Betfair Ascot Chase and Betfair Handicap Hurdle on Saturday. Read his best Ascot bets here..

The last time I visited Ascot, Master Minded put in a stunning performance to win the Victor Chandler Chase back in January 2009 with Ruby Walsh on board. I remember being blown away by the sheer superiority of the then six-year-old; although the next time I saw 'The Master' live in the flesh was back in Ireland where he just about scraped a victory over Big Zeb in the Kerrygold Champion Chase at Punchestown, not his best showing ever. Both of those horses have impressed and disappointed since; and the 2010 Queen Mother Champion Chase has 'no bet' written all over it for me at this early stage.

That was my first ever visit to Ascot and I have to say, I thought the place was fantastic. I'd never been to the old Ascot before so I understand that I don't have anything to compare it to, but I found the viewing quite good and the space to move around was excellent. The prices were a bit on the high side however, but I'm well used to paying a fiver for a pint in less ostentatious surroundings at the small courses in Ireland so such matters are not quite so shocking anymore!

The atmosphere also seemed a bit muted compared to most of the National Hunt meetings I attend but I guess the size of the place plays a part in that - as does the formal attire. But I've managed to wrangle a couple of free tickets for myself and the missus so all that's left to do is pick a few winners and we'll be sorted.

Betfair are sponsoring a couple of races and a select but classy field have been attracted to the Grade One Chase (15:15) where Monet's Garden just about tops the Timeform ratings at 175. I've always been a big fan of this horse and with 15 wins from 29 races, you can't really argue with what he's achieved. Don't forget that this horse beat Kauto Star a few years back and if he was a little younger, he'd probably be an odds-on banker here.

It's hard to know what to make of his chances this weekend considering a terrible display last time at this venue in November in a Group Two; yet that came on the back of one of his best performances of his career, when he won the 2009 Old Roan Chase at Aintree in October. I haven't really given up hope, and I reckon he could have one or two good performances left; so I just can't bring myself to strike a line through the twelve-year-old's name just yet.

Aged eight, Planet Of Sound is the obvious eyecatcher and is one of the youngest horses in the race. He's getting progressively better in recent times and recovered well from a blunder here in the Amlin 1965 Chase to come second to Alberta's Run. Previously, Planet Of Sound had made his mark in handicap company when winning the William Hill Gold Cup Chase at Exeter and it looks like he has a bright future ahead. The extra couple of furlongs here should make all the difference and by my calculations, he's going to be the one to beat.

Alberta's Run hasn't come on since that Ascot race and I'm starting to wonder if it was a fluke that day. He has past form in the book but can be awkward at times - and I really can't back him with any degree of confidence on Saturday, despite the fact that he now has eleven career wins under the belt.

Call me a yellow-belly but I'll have two horses running for me and I'm happy to put my hard-earned Euro (or Sterling, rather) on Monet's Garden and Planet Of Sound, albeit at a short price overall.

The line-up for the Betfair Handicap Hurdle (14:45) is far from certain at this stage so I'll wait until raceday before having a bet. Those catching the eye in the early list include Dee Ee Williams, Midnight Sail and Beshabar but it's really too early to make a call at the time of writing.

The Sodexo Prestige Reynoldstown Novices´ Chase (14:15) looks like a cracker and this will be the first time I get to watch Nicky Henderson's Punchestowns in action live. He'll probably go off at a restrictive price but with the likes of Tazbar, Burtons Port and even Latanier well able to put up a challenge, this may not be a one horse race. Again, I'll wait until the day before placing a bet but I'm keeping an open mind on this one.

Oh, and if you see me about, mine's a pint of Guinness!

Best bet:

Dutch Planet Of Sound and Monet's Garden in the Betfair Ascot Chase

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