Ascot Tips: Vincenzo was keen to claim the Handicap prize on Saturday | Race News
The Weekend Winners team returns to seek out winners at Ascot and Haydock in their latest episode – available now on the At The Races YouTube channel.
The panel of Kate Tracey, Sam Boswell and Declan Rix had special attention bet365 Handicap Chase (2.00pm), run over two miles and five meters on the Berkshire track – live Sky Sports Racing.
Vincenzo and Bad are currently looking at the head of the market, followed by Scarface, Etalon and Hitman.
Declan Rix…
“It looks like a really good opportunity Vincenzo. I think the four horses here are double figures for age, so they don’t exactly capture the really progressive breeds. We know where we are with a lot of these horses.
“The worst could be very good and he could be very bad, maybe he wants a better place and a return to Kempton. Scarface has them and the maiden mark while Etalon was good last time at Ascot but he’s going up in his journey here. I always want to take the favorites but it looks like a good chance for Vincenzo. He looks like he’s getting a full pack. He’s had very little time to strengthen his horse.
“The other thing that took him a while was his jumping, he was a bit slow especially when going deep. He has a bit of a tendency to jump and go left, which wouldn’t be good at Ascot – especially in some of those downhill calls. He ran well in the Paddy Power after Panic Attack – he did well after the Glengouly Cup in December.
“All I can say is that 2/1 is as short as I’d like to go, and I could hope to get 3/1 if I was greedy.”
Sam Boswell…
“It’s a good race. Dec made a good charge on the favourite, but I was trying to find a way to race. I’m not sure about the prices. Hitman he will win it for me – and yes his win rate is low – but he is always a threat to produce. He was second here 12 months ago and people will point to Harry Cobden going into Neon Moon this weekend, but Hitman is usually ridden by Freddie Gingell, who seems to get on well with him.
“What are we looking at this season? He won at Aintree on his comeback – you can’t get used to that with Master Chewy second. He then went to Huntingdon and wasn’t too far behind Djelo and Edwardstone. I’ll play him.
“I will contact you again Neon Moon. David Pipe – his most profitable track if you back him blind Ascot (+£44 at £1 stake). Harry Cobden rides and has a really good record when partnering David Pipe. The only thing I would worry about is the ground, if it was good to be soft I would be full of Neon Moon. I’ll get him a little protector.”
Kate Tracey…
“I will go Scarface. I just don’t trust Vincenzo or Evil in numbers, and Scarface [by comparison] seems like a strong proposition. He was beaten by Etalon last time (over 2m3f) but moved forward towards the end.
“Scarface will be a great fit with the extra two meters he’ll be getting here. He’s got a good Ascot record which hopefully will come through. Last time he switched blinkers to get his usual cheeks and it’s good to see him out of Newbury.
“He’s got no secrets from the handicapper and he’s actually been given a 1lb rise for that but he likes the track, he’s mixed and if we’re talking about strong suggestions – there aren’t many of them in this race. I hope Scarface will show his consistency.”
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