Horse Racing Tips: Timeform’s Saturday selections at Ascot includes a 15/2 play

Frere Darmes (14:05) has caught Timeform's eye and they expect a bold show at a nice price.

Ascot Betting Tips

12:55 Idem
13:30 Are U Wise To That
14:05 Frere Darmes
14:40 Jango Baie
15:15 Rare Middleton
15:45 Monbeg Genius
16:15 Oak Grove

*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.

12:55 Idem

IDEM returned from five months off with an impressive success at Kelso last time, making it two from two over hurdles in the style of a useful prospect. He proved well suited by the longer trip on that occasion, quickening clear under a hands-and-heels ride to win by nine and a half lengths with plenty in hand.

He now makes the switch to handicaps and remains one to keep on the right side from a British Horseracing Authority (BHA) mark of 120, very much the type to go on improving for the in-form Lucinda Russell stable (63% of horses running to form).

13:30 Are U Wise To That

ARE U WISE TO THAT created an excellent impression when making a successful chasing debut at Warwick a few weeks ago, overcoming a mistake four out and a bump at the last as he forged clear in the final furlong to win by two and a quarter lengths.

That was an encouraging start to the campaign and the form is much better than anything he achieved in three starts over hurdles. Runner-up on his sole outing in Irish points, Are U Wise To That should have more to offer now that he’s found his calling as a chaser and another bold bid seems assured despite a 7lb rise.

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14:05 Frere Darmes

FRERE DARMES ended last season with a lesser effort at Ayr, but he’d looked most progressive in three previous starts over fences, winning his first two at Kempton and Newbury and then shaping well from a career-high mark when filling the runner-up spot over this course and distance.

That Ayr run was more than likely just a blip and his excellent record when fresh suggests this could be the time to catch him from what remains a handy mark judged on the pick of his form, with the novice handicap he won at Newbury working out particularly well.

14:40 Jango Baie

JANGO BAIE is an interesting newcomer for Nicky Henderson, who often targets this race with a top prospect and has won it four times since 2012, most notably with My Tent Or Yours (2012) and Altior (2015).

Those with previous experience over hurdles don’t look anything out of the ordinary this year and Jango Baie certainly has plenty going for him on paper. Bought for £170,000 after filling the runner-up spot on his sole outing in Irish points, he’s in the right hands with Henderson and should be capable of winning a race of this nature sooner rather than later.

15:15 Rare Middleton

RARE MIDDLETON shaped much better than the bare result when last seen finishing fourth on his handicap debut at Fakenham in March, tiring late on having raced closer to the strong gallop than ideal.

The fact he’s had wind surgery during the summer suggests he might have been struggling with his breathing, too, and it will be no surprise if he leaves that form well behind in his second campaign over hurdles. Trained by Paul Nicholls, he is unlikely to lack for fitness after eight months off and worth another chance to be competitive from a BHA mark of 117.

15:45 Monbeg Genius

MONBEG GENIUS had his winning sequence ended when last seen finishing third in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but that was still a huge run from a horse having just his fifth start over fences, keeping on well to be beaten only two and a quarter lengths.

The pair who beat him – Corach Rambler (Grand National) and Fastorslow (Punchestown Gold Cup) – both won big races next-time-out, so it’s very strong form and a 7lb rise in the weights might not be enough to prevent this low-mileage stayer from making a winning return to action.

16:15 Oak Grove

OAK GROVE has a useful jumping pedigree – he’s by Soldier of Fortune and out of a sister to the very smart hurdler Voler La Vedette – and the way he won his second start in Irish points suggests he too possesses his fair share of ability.

Bought for £250,000 after that victory, he must be considered an exciting recruit for the Fergal O’Brien team and it will be interesting to see what he can do on his debut under Rules in what has the makings of a hot bumper.

Ascot Betting Tips

12:55 Idem
13:30 Are U Wise To That
14:05 Frere Darmes
14:40 Jango Baie
15:15 Rare Middleton
15:45 Monbeg Genius
16:15 Oak Grove

*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.

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