The Les Ambassadeurs Casino Handicap
Hurdle, run over 2 miles 3½ furlongs at Ascot, is one of the most
competitive races of the day on Saturday, numerically, and in terms
of the average starting price of recent winners.
The bookmakers have, once again,
excelled themselves, offering eight of the 21-strong field at
single-figure prices, yet just one at 33/1. As ever, under the
circumstances, a cursory glance at Betfair Exchange prices, and
possibly a bet at Betfair Starting Price, might be a shrewd move for
value seekers.
The complete outsider of the party,
Dubawi Island (33/1), lost touch going down the back straight
when only tenth of 17, beaten 25 lengths, behind Rock The Kasbah over
course and distance last month. However, Venetia Williams’
6-year-old is only 2lb higher in the weights than when second of ten,
beaten 2¼ lengths, behind If In Doubt over 2 miles 5½ furlongs at
Wincanton on Boxing Day and would have a decent chance on that form.
The Dubawi gelding does seem to be an ‘all-or-nothing’ type, but
could go well at generous odds if in the right mood.
Croco Bay (28/1) hasn’t raced
over hurdles for the best part of three years and his best
performance in that sphere came when making all to win a 0-125
novices’ handicap hurdle, over 2 miles 2 furlongs, at Kelso off a
handicap mark of 117. Of course, plenty of water has flown under the
bridge in the meantime, but his best performance over fences came
when third of twenty, beaten 5 lengths, behind Next Sensation in the
Grand Annual Chase at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, off a
handicap mark of 149. He’s been highly tried on three subsequent
starts over fences and, while his ability over the smaller obstacles
nowadays is a complete unknown, he’s arguably well handicapped, off
a mark of 140, on the pick of his chasing form.
Selections: Ascot 3.00 Dubawi
Island (33/1 with Bet365), Croco Bay (28/1 with Bet365)
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