Horse Racing Betting Tips: You won’t feel ripped off if you back Berkshire
ASCOT stages a number of hugely competitive seven furlong handicaps during the season and tomorrow’s Cunard Handicap (2.45pm) is another.
Punters face a slightly easier task in this as there is a maximum field of 20, as opposed to the normal 29, with the course protecting the ground for next month’s QIPCO British Champions Day.
Gilgamesh looks like being sent off favourite and he must have a fair chance off just a 2lb higher mark than when successful over seven furlongs at York back in May.
He’s run well on both starts at Ascot this term, while Jamie Spencer has been on board for three of his five career victories.
Cape Byron is another likely type for Roger Varian, who also saddles Mystic Flight and Spanish City.
Andrea Atzeni’s mount was fourth in the Golden Mile at Goodwood on his first start since being gelded and then second to Flaming Spear at the same course over seven furlongs a fortnight ago.
He has to be respected, but is just 6/1 and I’d prefer to back course and distance winner RIPP ORF at 8/1.
David Elsworth’s four-year-old has had a busy campaign, but he was an impressive winner of the Victoria Cup here in May.
Since then, he has won a mile handicap at Newmarket and was beaten just a length in third behind Burnt Sugar in the International Handicap two starts back.
That proved once again that a fast run seven furlongs at a stiff track like Ascot is right up his street.
Jason Watson, this season’s leading apprentice jockey, takes the ride and his 3lb claim is worth its weight in gold.
Ripp Orf technically runs here off a mark of 90, which is only 1lb higher than his Newmarket win and 2lbs lower than in the International.
I always like to fire two bullets in a race like this and I think Mark Johnston’s CARDSHARP is overpriced at 25/1.
He won a Listed race over six furlongs at Salisbury back in June and was beaten just a length in third by Anna Nerium in the seven furlong Group Three Supreme Stakes at Goodwood last month.
We’ve seen plenty of horses at the top end of the handicap making their class pay in recent weeks, and this three-year-old colt could do exactly that.
Don’t forget that he won the Group Two July Stakes last year before finishing third in the Group One Middle Park almost 12 months ago.
I was planning to go with First Eleven in the valuable Lavazza Stakes (3.55pm) after his luckless effort in the King George V Handicap at the Royal meeting.
He’s been given plenty of time since disappointing in the Group Three Bahrain Trophy, but I’d be willing to forgive that effort as he never looked happy on the track.
My problem is that he was 10/1 at the start of the week and is now just 4/1, so he’s reluctantly passed over.
I’m hoping it’s going to be a good day for Watson as his mount BERKSHIRE ROYAL is surely better than an 85-rated horse.
He was only beaten two lengths by Cross Counter two starts back, albeit receiving lumps of weight, but the winner has gone up 13lbs since then.
Andrew Balding’s yard is on fire at the moment and this son of Sir Percy looks the each-way play in the race at 7/1.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Ripp Orf e/w 2.45pm Ascot
Cardsharp e/w 2.45pm Ascot
Berkshire Royal e/w 3.55pm Ascot