We are set for a seven-race card at Ascot today, where we have some course specialists looking to add to their already profitable course record.

The Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase is the highlight of today’s card, but away from the marquee race, we have some highly competitive races where value bets can be found.

Get the latest horse racing promotions and odds with the best online horse racing bookmakers here.

Ascot 1:15 Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle – 2m7½f (4yo+ 0-125)

Bective Abby hasn’t been seen since April of last year and comes here as a short-price favourite, and there should be a lot more to come from the Seven Barrows inmate.

But he seems a horse that is hard to keep sound, so it may be worth taking him on today.

BLUE HOP is another lightly raced individual who has shown signs of gradual improvement in three runs this season, which cumulated in a comfortable win last time out at Doncaster.

He has gone up six pounds in the weights for that win, but Blue Hop does get a nice weight concession here. With more to come on only his sixth hurdle start, the famous Brookhouse colours may be carried to victory in the opener today.

• Selection: Blue Hop 10/1 (e/w)
• Danger: Thank You Ma’am 8/1

Bet on Blue Hop each way with talkSPORT BET

Ascot 1:50 Grade 2 Ebony Horse Club Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase – 3m (5yo+)

The rematch between Jingko Blue and Lowry’s Bar is a clash to look forward to today.

Lowry’s Bar looked like he had Jingko Blue in trouble coming to the third last at Windsor, but a bad mistake at the third last fence ultimately cost Lowry’s Bar any chance of winning.

LOWRY’S BAR gets a five-pound swing in the weight here, and if he can get around without a major mistake, they will find it hard to peg him back, and he can make up for his Windsor loss.

• Selection: Lowry’s Bar 9/4
• Danger: Jingko Blue 5/4

Bet on Lowry’s Bar with Sky Bet

Ascot 2:25 Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle – 2m3½f (4yo+)

Joyeux Machin has been interestingly campaigned since arriving at Dan Skeltons from Paul Nolan’s yard in Ireland and holds leading claims on the back of an eyecatching run at Wetherby.

Altobelli finally rewarded his supporters by taking the Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle over course and distance, and a five-pound higher mark should still see him very competitive here.

The one that is worth taking a chance on is CLASSIC KING.

An easy winner last time on back over hurdles has seen this talented but tricky customer go up only six pounds for that win. He has his jumping issues over the larger obstacles, but now that they are keeping him to hurdling and that he is on the back of a second win on three runs, Classic King has what it takes to add another win to his crown.

Move It Like Minni wasn’t far behind Altobelli over course and distance on his previous run and can get closer today if on his best behaviour.

• Selection: Classic King 12/1 (e/w)
• Danger: Joyeux Machin 9/2

Bet on Classic King each way with Paddy Power

Ascot 3:00 Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase – 3m (5yo+)

It’s another tight premier handicap to sort out here, but it may be worth sticking with the course specialist VICTORINO.

He recorded his third-course win last time out when winning with much more in hand than the winning margin suggests. A three-pound rise for that win seems more than fair, and given his course record and style of running, Victorino may have more left in the locker and can record his fourth win at Ascot.

Threeunderthrufive was nine lengths behind Victorino on his seasonal return, and with normal progression from the first run to the second, he should be capable of getting closer today.

• Selection: Victorino 4/1
• Danger: Threeunderthrufive 11/1

Bet on Victorino with Midnite

Ascot 3:37 Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase – (5yo+)

Emmet Mullins sends over Cheltenham Festival winner Corbetts Cross, and last season’s first and second in Pic D’Ohry and L’Homme Presse lock horns once again.

While Corbetts Cross is respected, getting away from PIC D’OHRY is hard.

He will be trained for this like it’s his Gold Cup, so there will be no stone left unturned as Pic D’Ohry looks to win back-to-back runnings of the Ascot Chase and add another course win.

He should be hard to beat, but if the Willie Mullins-trained Blue Lord can find the form that saw him finish just over six lengths off Fastorslow in the 2023 John Durkan Chase, he could give them all a scare at massive odds.

• Selection: Pic D’Ohry 2/1
• Danger: Blue Lord 20/1

Bet on Pic D’Ohry with talkSPORT BET

Ascot 4:10 Betfair Racing Podcasts Novices’ Hurdle – 2m3½f (5yo+)

This is not the strongest race on the card, and it should pay to forgive KINGSTON PRIDE his last run when sent off as a 6/4 favourite for the Grade 2 Winter Novices Hurdle at Sandown.

Coming into Sandown, he was touted as a potential Cheltenham Festival horse, and if the vibes are still the same today, he should have too much in the locker for his five rivals.

But, if he does bomb out again, Crest Of Fortune can benefit.

• Selection: Kingston Pride 1/1
• Danger: Crest Of Fortune 3/1

Bet on Kingston Pride with Sky Bet

Ascot 4:45 Betfair Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race – 1m7½f

We finish with a mare’s bumper that may be worth following.

Jackie Hobbs did the job nicely on debut for Harry Derham, but the one to concentrate on here is BELLA LE GRAND.

Having won a bumper in Ireland in taking style for Yvonne Latta, Bella Le Grand has her first run for Dan Skelton today.

The form of her bumper win has worked out well, with the second Karate Kid going on to win a bumper at Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival, and the fourth has also won, winning a bumper by 25 lengths.

Further progression for a trainer known to have one ready first time out will see Bella Le Grand hard to beat here.

• Selection: Bella Le Grand
• Danger: Jackie Hobbs

Bet on Bella Le Grand with Paddy Power

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