Ascot Placepot: Saturday February 19

Daily Betting Advice / Timeform / 19 February 2011 /

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Will Ascot specialist Lough Derg reach the frame again?

"Just two places up for grabs in this Grade 1 chase and, boringly, it is probably best to side with the two market leaders Riverside Theatre and Pride of Dulcote given that there are doubts about most of their rivals at present."

Ascot's Betfair-sponsored card looks a good place to have a stab at the placepot today as it could prove trickier to solve than at first glance, with the usual puzzle of competitive handicaps supplemented by some graded events in which there are less than three places up for grabs.

13.20 - There are several unexposed sorts in the field for this interesting novice, yet it still appeals as a race in which we can reduce the number of lines by banking on just one selection, namely Nicky Henderson's unbeaten Problema Tic, who has been awarded a large P by Timeform and seems sure to go on to much better things (his form has been working out very well).

13.50 - Only four runners and this seems to lie between Master of The Hall and The Minack, who are difficult to split on form, so it should pay to play safe by selecting both of them.

14.25 - French raider Royal Tune and the Paul Nicholls-trained Breedsbreeze are likely to head the market here, but there are slight stamina doubts about that pair if the rain gets into the ground, so it could pay to side with Ogee (front runners often do well at Ascot), Carrickmines and Exmoor Ranger instead.

15.00 - Just two places up for grabs in this Grade 1 chase and, boringly, it is probably best to side with the two market leaders Riverside Theatre and Pride of Dulcote given that there are doubts about most of their rivals at present.

15.35 - The veteran Lough Derg is usually a tough horse to pass round Ascot and showed he was far from a back number when third in a similarly competitive handicap over this course and distance last time. He clearly warrants respect, though the lightly-raced pair Shalone and Like Minded both appeal as more likely winners.

16.05 - An interesting novice hurdle kicked off this placepot and it is ended by a similar contest (albeit over slightly shorter). At the risk of sounding repetitive, it is probably best to bank on the Nicky Henderson first string here, with Sprinter Sacre the clear form choice and also proven on this course.

Selections - 36 lines
13.20 - 1.
13.50 - 2, 4.
14.25 - 2, 5, 8.
15.00 - 4, 6.
15.35 - 1, 5, 10.
16.05 - 1.

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