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Williams with good chances on the card on Saturday
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Alexei can take another step forward for trainer at 32% at Ascot
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Alan Dudman has three tips for the weekend
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The World Darts continues - check out our daily tips here!
Ascot - 13:50: Back The Famous Five @ 7/24.50
Venetia Williams has a couple of excellent chances on Saturday, with Victorrino in the Howden Silver Cup later on the card, and The Famous Five in the 13:50
A progressive horse potentially from 123, he is in receipt of a chunk of weight here from 10-4, which makes life tough for Bad, the market leader, conceding nearly a stone-and-a-half.
The Famous Five hasn't been seen since last February, but I don't have too much of a worry backing something from Venetia first-time-out and soft ground will suit this seven-year-old.
He finished second to Donnacha at Chepstow last term as a novice over 2m4f. That was one of his better runs and I can see him developing more as a 2m4f horse rather than at 2m. I take a positive view of that form as Donnacha has done well in a couple of races this term.
Back The Famous Five in the 13:50 at Ascot
Ascot - 14:25: Back Honesty Policy @ 9/43.25
The feature Long Walk Hurdle sees Crambo go for an historic three wins in the race, but he's a year older, and the Stayers' division hasn't got any better. This has to go to the unexposed Gordon Elliott hurdler, surely?
He is the one with the most potential and upsides and already has a Grade 1 to his name in his fledging career with victory in the 2m4f Mersey Novices' last spring at Aintree.
He ran soon after at Punchestown, in his first try over 3m, and he delivered a great race at the new trip behind the Albert Bartlett winner. There was a big gap to third and there's no reason to think he'll stay well this season, and his trainer seemed to think so post-race.
Back Honesty Policy in the 14:25 at Ascot
Ascot - 15:35: Back Alexei @ 7/24.50
Alexei did us a good turn for the multiples at Ascot in November, when winning easily from a mark of 127, and he improved substantially when landing the Greatwood at Cheltenham by a big margin, subsequently going into Sam Turner's antepost book for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
He travelled strongly at Prestbury Park and routed a good handicap field with 6L back to second. From 134, he deserves his rise of 13, and I don't think he's done yet in terms of improving. He handled the softer conditions extremely well recently too.
From 147, it demands more clearly from top weight, but Alexei could make up into a Champion Hurdle outsider and Joe Tizzard has a fine record at Ascot too - chiming in with a 32% strike-rate.
Back Alexei in the 15:35 at Ascot
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