Saturday Ascot tips:
12:20 – Scarface
12:55 – Arizona Cardinal
13:30 – Glimpse Of Gala
14:05 – L’Homme Presse
14:40 – Constitution Hill
15:15 – So Scottish
15:50 – Thames Water
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!
12:20 – Scarface
SCARFACE finished runner-up on his first couple of outings over hurdles last season, including in a 19-furlong novice here in February when he made the useful Skytastic dig deep. That form sets the standard here and Scarface, who made the most of a good opportunity on his return at Plumpton last month, appeals as the one to beat.
12:55 – Arizona Cardinal
Irish point winner ARIZONA CARDINAL improved on his hurdles form when making a successful chasing debut at Bangor last month, jumping soundly in the main on his way to a neck success. Arizona Cardinal, who was making his first start since undergoing a breathing operation, idled close home and there could be more to come from him in this sphere. He’s 7 lb out of the handicap here so effectively has a 12 lb higher mark to cope with, but Finn Lambert takes off a handy 7 lb.
13:30 – Glimpse Of Gala
GLIMPSE OF GALA enjoyed a productive campaign last term, winning on three occasions, and she has shaped with encouragement on both starts this season. She was third over a sharper test than ideal at Warwick on her reappearance and stepped up on that when runner-up at Aintree last month, catching the eye with how powerfully she finished to get to within three-quarters of a length of the winner. She looks a major player back against her own sex here.
STUDY THE FORM IN STYLE & GET ALL THE RESULTS YOU NEED FIRST
- CHECK OUT OUR SNAZZY RACECARDS FOR EVERY RACE, EVERY DAY
- WE HAVE ALL THE HORSE RACING FAST RESULTS YOU’LL EVER WANT
14:05 – L’Homme Presse
L’HOMME PRESSE developed into a high-class chaser last season, winning his first five starts over fences, notably the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He wasn’t at his best when a distant third behind Ahoy Senor at Aintree, but it’s easy enough to overlook that effort – it came on faster ground than ideal and at a time when the stable’s runners were struggling – and he is better judged on his previous form. This looks a nice opportunity for L’Homme Presse to make a winning return to action.
FANCY A CHANCE TO WIN £/€25K?
14:40 – Constitution Hill
CONSTITUTION HILL created a huge impression last season, winning all three starts, including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle by 22 lengths from stablemate Jonbon. That performance earned Constitution Hill a Timeform rating of 177p, the highest the company has ever awarded to a novice hurdler, passing the benchmark of 176 set by Golden Cygnet in 1978. Only six hurdlers of any experience have achieved a higher Timeform rating than Constitution Hill and he’s a hugely exciting prospect who is destined for top honours this season.
15:15 – So Scottish
SO SCOTTISH looked a smart prospect when landing a maiden hurdle in good style at Kilbeggan in September and he backed up that positive impression when making a successful start over fences at Tipperary last month. So Scottish completed the hat-trick in a novice chase at Carlisle last time, winning with much more than the margin of half a length might suggest after the runner-up grabbed first run in a steadily-run race. So Scottish remains open to further improvement over fences and looks a big player on his handicap chase debut, with promising 5 lb claimer Michael O’Sullivan in the saddle.
15:50 – Thames Water
THAMES WATER, a €90,000 purchase as a three-year-old, makes appeal on paper as he’s a brother to a couple of winners, including Minella Melody who was placed in a Grade 2 mares’ bumper and won a Grade 3 novice hurdle. Thames Water also has the advantage of making his debut with trainer Paul Nicholls in fine form.
Saturday Ascot tips:
12:20 – Scarface
12:55 – Arizona Cardinal
13:30 – Glimpse Of Gala
14:05 – L’Homme Presse
14:40 – Constitution Hill
15:15 – So Scottish
15:50 – Thames Water
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
READ MORE
- Horse Racing Tips: Matt Chapman’s top picks for Saturday’s ITV Racing
- Horse Racing Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s top Saturday picks for Haydock & Ascot
- Horse Racing Tips: Ruby Walsh’s fine fancies for ITV Racing on Saturday
- Horse Racing Tips: Ruby Walsh’s Punchestown picks for Saturday’s action