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James Mackie has two fancies at Ascot on Friday
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Excelero can keep Jane Williams' good run of form going
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Let It Rain to prove better than a mark of 120
13:50, Ascot - Back Excelero @ 9/43.25
The first selection of the afternoon on Friday comes Novices' Limited Handicap Chase and Excelero can keep the good run of form of the Jane Williams yard going at 9/43.25.
A fair hurdler last year winning twice at Bangor and Exeter, he was sent chasing in October in what looked a hot Beginners' Chase at Worcester when finishing fourth behind the likes of Wade Out and Wendigo who have since gone on to frank that form.
Excelero himself franked the form when dropped to his preferred 2m at Warwick when bolting up by 9.5 lengths off a mark of 121.
Under the same riding tactics off 7lb higher he can put this field under pressure from the front and with his chase form stacking up, and the yard running at a 36% strike rate for the last two weeks he should go close again.
Back Excelero to win the 13:50 Ascot
14:25, Ascot - Back Let It Rain @ 5/23.50
My best bet of the afternoon comes in the Class 4 Handicap Hurdle and Let It Rain for the Skeltons should prove to be better than a mark of 120.
The likeable mare made a real impression in 2023 in both her bumpers when bolting up at Warwick on debut and then again winning well in a Listed bumper at Ascot over course and distance.
Making her hurdles debut in November last year, she bumped into the talented French Ship for the Hobbs and White team at Chepstow, finishing a good second. French Ship is now rated 146 over hurdles.
Let It Rain was last seen in November 2024 at Wetherby when bolting up at a short price ahead of Rockola Vogue who was last seen winning a competitive handicap at Ascot over three miles and is now rated 127.
Making her handicap debut off a really workable mark of 120 gives her a huge chance to kick her season off with a bang.
The only concern she has is she is returning from a 387 day lay off due to injury, but if she can pick up from where she left off last year she should prove much better than 120.
Back Let It Rain in the 14:25 Ascot