Ascot racing tips: Pic D’Orhy stars in the 1965 Chase ahead of Ascot Hurdle

Ascot racing tips

1965 Chase
1.30: Pic D’Orhy 10/11 (2pts)
Ascot Hurdle
2.45: Lucky Place 12/1 Each-way (1pt)

Pic D’Orhy

This antepost price on Pic D’Orhy still looks like value at this stage with only eight runners still in contention at this stage before the declaration on Thursday morning.

If they all enter it wouldn’t be surprising to see Pic D’Orhy go further into odds-on favourite which he certainly will with anymore withdrawals.

Some might be put off but the fact he pulled up last time out but that was on soft ground and may well just not enjoy Aintree as a track.

He’s still by far the best-rated chaser in the field and only gives a small amount of weight away.

The now nine-year-old gelding has won nine times over fences including twice last year over this course and distance.

He seems to enjoy running at Ascot now having struggled here initially, but since winning in 2021 a Novice Grade 2 ahead of Faivoir has gone 211, only beaten by Shishkin in the Ascot Chase.

Harry Cobden rides who’s in great form for all that he rides for not just the Paul Nicholls stable, who are also getting plenty of winners at this stage of the season.

Lucky Place

This one may be best to wait for the full declarations before betting as the ten runners alone are enough of a headache, as there’s clear chances from the unbeaten over hurdles Golden Ace, Blueking d’Oroux, Jango Baie, Thunder Rock and Salver.

The former and favourite, gets plenty of weight from her rivals but is still up there in the ratings.

She gets 6lb from gelding Salver who was looking at staying unbeaten until the Triumph Hurdle won by Majborough.

He was only beaten by a few lengths and did stay on in testing conditions and looks interesting at an each-way price stepping up in trip beyond 2m for the first time.

Ascot can be a tough course for some horses as though it’s a long galloping track the fences obstacles on the bend can come fast, considered stiff.

Amongst some of the rising hurdlers is some older horses a bit more exposed but still with ability and key experience.

Thunder Rock is a possible runner but has only been seen over fences since 2023 so tough to back on that evidence as he’s likely to be withdrawn.

Nicky Henderson has two entered but it’s really Lucky Place that appeals the most given his form last season, the five-year-old did really well to place behind Golden Ace in January, then Gidleigh Park at Cheltenham 19 days later, before a valiant effort 4th in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham Festival.

He’s a massive price at 12/1 and could well have more to give this season after a summer break.

The key thing is too that Lucky Place was giving Golden Ace a stone in weight back at Taunton and though they’ve both progressed in the races since, it’s very much in his favour now only giving 4lb away.

Tom Lunn’s Profit/Loss

November ’24: +34.35
From May ’24: +188.3pts
From July ’23: +400.86pts

All odds correct at time of writing

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