A trio of Weekend Winners return with a look at two busy days of racing, including a top-quality card from Ascot.
Presenter Kate Tracey joins BetVictor’s Sam Boswell and At the races Declan Rix to discuss what remains of the weekend’s action following the suspension of Kempton’s Lanzarote Handicap meeting.
The team starts with an eye on bet365 Handicap Chaseheld at Ascot on Saturday at 14.15 – live Sky Sports Racing…
Presenter Kate Tracey…
“This is a cracking contest. The shape line between Kotmask and Martator really interests me, but I’m going with Kotmask. Let’s hope he can double up on his success a month ago at Ascot over two miles and three furlongs. He’s managed to work out his own way of doing things despite a few common mistakes, so provided his jockey sits tight, he can still show decent form.
“From the same mark as 130 last time, up in distance, he improved a little to get a well-deserved success. Here he faces his old nemesis Martator, who beat him on his reappearance and even more so in Kotmask’s penultimate start. He [Kotmask] there’s obviously plenty to find, but when you look at it, they were shying away from the weight when they considered the jockey’s claims on that occasion. Kotmask will gain 15lb from Martator here, so I think he will change his form.”
In The Races’ Declan Rix…
“This is a competitive race! I love it Phlegmatic and I wonder if that was the plan for this Dan Skelton-trained horse. He has run four times this year, wandering from 16 to 50, and before that he wandered from six to 15/2 at Ascot. He was also a decent drifter last time behind Victtorino here, but there were signs of life on the day, and he’s going down the handicap.
“This is a £100,000 race with £52,000 to the winner and I wonder – as the Skeltons are excellent target trainers – if this race is targeted. A drop in travel will suit him, he has run at Ascot nine times without a win but has pretty good form. Runs 132, minus three more for Tristan Durrell’s 3lb claim – so he’s handicapped to come close, honey!”
BetVictor’s Sam Boswell…
“I expect my choice to jump to an even higher price, but I’m going again Bad – which sometimes lives up to its name. We all know it can be a bit difficult when it gets close, but returning it this way will help.
“Going on the trip will help and I think there’s enough things to go with him in terms of pace. My plan is to have a few take him in the race and the blinkers are on, which could bring a bit of improvement. You’ve got to have faith and he’s good price if nothing else, and I’m willing to go to the source one more time for it.
Watch Weekend Winners in full on the At The Races YouTube channel…
