Saturday racing tips
ASCOT
3.45: Chianti Classico 3/1 (1pt) & Highstakesplayer 10/1 each-way (1pt)
DOWN ROYAL
2.40: Hewick 11/2 each-way (1.5pts)
WETHERBY
1.50: Luccia 5/6 (2pts)
2.22: Dashel Drasher 5/1 (1pt)
2.58: Bravemansgame 11/8 (2pts)
The feature race of the afternoon at Ascot, the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase over 3m, sees Chianti Classico as the main favorite.
This seven-year-old won the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival in March, then followed up with a solid fourth place at Aintree’s Milmday Novices’ Chase despite an 11lb raise.
Trained by Kim Bailey, Chianti Classico has three wins in five chase starts and, after a summer break, is expected to show further improvement.
Carrying top-weight might be a challenge, but this gives an each-way opportunity for others.
One contender is Neon Moon, who’s hit new levels following a wind surgery, reaching his highest mark yet with potential to improve over this favored distance.
Solo, trained by Paul Nicholls, also returns after a wind operation.
Having won the Grade 2 Pendil Novices’ Chase in February 2023, he’s had limited runs since, suggesting potential but might be best observed on his return.
Highstakesplayer, a horse on the rise with four wins in his last five races, consistently handles the 3m trip, enjoys the ground, and has the weight advantage, making him a strong option to back alongside Chianti Classico.
Our Power also has strong stamina credentials, placing 11th in the Grand National, though hasn’t raced since December after a couple of underwhelming performances.
Chianti Classico remains hard to overlook for his top form, but backing both him and Highstakesplayer might be a wise strategy, as Highstakesplayer, receiving 17lb from the favorite, could capitalize on that advantage.
In the Charlie Hall at Wetherby, Gerri Colombe has opted for the Ladbrokes Champion Chase, but another standout, King George VI Chase winner Hewick, is now available at a solid 11/2.
Known for his resilience, Hewick stays well over long trips and was impressive in the King George, where he narrowly defeated Bravemansgame.
Since then, he’s competed well in chases, only just beaten at Auteuil, suggesting he’s primed for a strong return.
Luccia, who impressed with a Grade 3 win at Ascot last December, later ran a solid third in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and followed with a respectable fourth in the Aintree Hurdle. She faces Brighterdaysahead, a promising mare from Gordon Elliott’s stable.
But Luccia, likely improved over the summer, brings speed and determination and, with only a 1lb concession to the Grade 1-winning Brighterdaysahead, should be tough to beat.
The bet365 Hurdle’s Grade 2 renewal is set to be competitive among seven runners, with Dashel Drasher at an appealing price.
This 11-year-old finished third here last year off 6lb higher and gained fans for his fighting spirit, notably when he finished a close second at 40/1 in the 2023 Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. After a break, he should return refreshed and ready to contend.
The Charlie Hall Chase has drawn top chasers for what promises to be an intense race. Bravemansgame, last year’s runner-up, could make his season debut here.
Though winless since the King George in 2022, he’s consistently placed in top graded contests, including his narrow second place to Gentlemansgame in the previous Charlie Hall.
Grey Dawning, possibly stepping back up to 3m, also brings appeal after an impressive 14-length victory over 3m at Warwick, showing his potential over this distance.
With Gerri Colombe and Hewick heading to the Champion Chase at Down Royal, the race becomes more open.
Conflated is now the highest-rated entry, though recent struggles make him a riskier choice.
Bravemansgame’s consistent top-level performances make him the leading option here, especially as he returns fresh and with proven class.
