Daily Racing Tips: It's all about Duncan today

Tipping / Carl Harris / 09 May 2009 / 1 Comments

Carl Harris talks us through his selections for the day including why he strongly fancies Duncan and who he thinks will come out on top in the Victoria Cup.

[13.0] Zaahid can retain The Victoria Cup at Ascot

9th May

Johnny Murtagh will hope to put the Chester May meeting behind him as quickly as possible. Frozen Fire's race was a nothing short of a farce and he was lucky to salvage a dead heat on Empowered, having seen Richard Hughes get first run on Red Merlin.

The reality is that Chester is over and today Ascot takes centre-stage with the big betting race of the day being the Victoria Cup (2.15). No fewer than 29 runners line up for the valuable 7f handicap won 12 months ago by Zaahid. Barry Hills is in blinding form, winning the Chester Cup for Zaahid's connections this week, and that fine form can continue at Ascot as Zaahid bids to retain his trophy.

The 5 year-old was second in The Lincoln, behind the well backed Expresso Star then went to Newbury where something, possibly the soft ground, didn't suit. Back on fast ground Zaahid is only 2 pounds higher than his Lincoln run and 6 pounds higher than last year's winning mark. Being drawn in stall 12 should be ideal, being similar to last year where he was drawn 14. At [13.5] to win and [4.5] to place I am prepared to support the inform trainer and I think Zaahid has an excellent chance, certainly of being in the first 4.

It is an early start at Ascot with the first race starting at 1.05 in which Duncan can follow up his Epsom win. That was his first start for John Gosden, having previously been trained by Ed Dunlop, and he was backed like a good thing, which he duly proved to be. Gosden has wasted no time in stepping up to Listed company and it would not require much improvement to win today. Duncan is my best bet of the day.

It is Derby Trial season, the latest of which is run at Lingfield (3.15) today. Aidan O'Brien saddles the favourite, Age Of Aquarius who I think will win very nicely to enter The Derby picture. I hope Johnny Murtagh rides Lingfield better than he did Chester and gains some compensation for his backers.

Today's Bets

1.05 Ascot- Duncan - Win (Bet of the Day)
2.15 Ascot- Zaahid - Win and Place
3.15 Lingfield- Age Of Aquarius- Win

Comments (1)

1. Sharon Robson | 09 May 2009

   Wow. I thought Duncan would win too, but that was easy as you like. Plenty left there!

   Nice One Mr Harris

   Sharon
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