Ascot 13:10 - 16th Dec 2006

1:10 3m - BGC Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed Race) (Class 1)

5/1 Lacdoudal, Harris Bay, 7/1 See You Sometime, 8/1 Cornish Sett, 10/1 Fork Lightning, 16/1 Bar

Lacdoudal did me favour in the Betfred at the end of last season. Extremely well handicapped and well rated, the flat expanses of Ascot should not inconvenience him as top weight. Noted as a potential national horse he’ll need to stamp his authority today given that better quality horses have been competing in the Aintree marathon over the years.

Harris Bay’s pace profile suggests that he’ll be held up and on the basis of yesterdays races the focus of selection should be on prominent runners therefore he’ll be given too much to do today. One to watch for the future.

Of the current market leaders Copsale Lad was eliminated from selection as he is noted as preferring a left-handed track. Graphic Approach seems ideally suited by 2m4f/2m5f. I’m not convinced about the recent win of Cornish Sett and he steps up in class today.

So with most other eliminated my second selection against the field was driven by the tissue. See You Sometime lovers to front run on right-handed tracks. He steps up in to his preferred distance which made the price on offer last night too big to let go and I can see why Pricewise tipped him up as a selection.