Ascot Preview & Best Bets – 02/03/2024

Our form expert provides Ascot tips for today’s horse racing at Ascot Racecourse and gives his best bets.    

Ascot Tips for Saturday March 2

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 7 No. 1 RUSSIAN TO THE BAR – ($2.80)

Luke Fenie produced RUSSIAN TO THE BAR to score first-up off an impressive trial earlier this prep. We kept Russian To The Bar under notice from that trial while we really liked Papavero Princess from a kind draw in that race. Chris Parnham lobbed into a beautiful position throughout yet we were counting our cash as the mare ranged up to put her head in front deep inside the furlong. Russian To The Bar responded in magnificent fashion by regaining the lead and coming away to score by over half-a-length. Strung another two wins together, including last start over #WABlackbookers horse A Lot Of Good Men at listed level last start. Drawn to lob into a beautiful position again on Saturday in a race in a race that would seem devoid of speed and pressure. 

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 5 No. 4 INDIE RULER – ($5)

The Luke Fenie trained INDIE RULER made it four wins from his past five race starts when leading all the way on his home track on Saturday. Indie Ruler now has two Ascot Saturday wins to his name and is climbing through the handicap ratings. He sat outside the leader to kick into the straight and win over 1000 metres on an on-pace dominated day when resuming. Backed it up a fortnight later as Jade McNaught sent her mount straight to the front. They scooted along at a quick tempo again and managed to win despite hanging badly under pressure. The second-up win came on a day where leaders found it hard to win and Indie Ruler ran one of the faster times relative to the day. Scratched from a wide gate last time and should find the lead in a comfortable rhythm over 1200m on Saturday.

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 6 No. 6 PATRON OF KINGS – ($9)

The good pressure up front will suit PATRON OF KINGS who strips fitter for two runs back this time in. He is coming out of a weaker race where they did only go even through the early part at Pinjarra Racecourse. The field did string out initially with Jarrad Noske finding himself a long way back as they backed off the tempo mid-race. Patron Of Kings made up many lengths into the straight to finish third over the 1400 metres. Does go up in grade as mentioned, though stays to trip in what should be a truly run race on Saturday.