Ascot Preview & Best Bets – Saturday, February 4
Our form expert provides Ascot tips for today’s horse racing at Ascot and gives his best bets.
Ascot Tips 04/02/2023
BEST BET 🏆
Race 3 No. 3 FLICKA’S CHANCE – ($8)
Felt that FLICKA’S CHANCE trialled really well alongside Phanta despite not jumping all that cleanly. He’s obviously not in the same class as the horse who missed out narrowly at Listed level last week. Flicka’s Chance still seemed to trial up every bit as well as Phanta while carrying a little more condition at the time. Carried 60 kg first-up when not the sharpest away again. The speed was hot up front with Troy Turner allowing his mount to find a comfort level a few lengths off that pressure. Worked home behind Born To Talk in a slashing first-up run and will have come on from that. Gets in really well at the weights here thanks to the BM75 horse and Flicka’s Chance must be considered.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 4 No. 5 SEEABLE – ($4.20)
Winning form is good form and SEEABLE brings plenty of such to Ascot on Saturday. Deserves his chance up in grade after knocking off two in a row over this track and distance since resuming. Showed grit and determination in both wins, including first-up when Brad Rawiller allowed Stella Fair to roll to the front. Seeable pulled his way past her when she tried to put the brakes on before fending off her challenge into the straight. Lumped the grandstand at latest when coming away from that mare late then denying Gold Merits to the line. Question here for Holly Watson on Sockoff – does she attack or try to sit off Seeable in an attempt to see out the trip. There does not appear to be a great deal of pressure up front if she does hand-up.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 2 No. 3 SIR MAMBO – ($6)
Summer Dickson has SIR MAMBO close to a win with three third placed runs this prep. William Pike put him into a beautiful position behind the speed before searching for runs first-up. Sweated up notably before putting himself into the race again when finished close-up to The Lady Is A Vamp at Pinjarra. Stayed to 1000 metres and caught wide when racing on the pace at Ascot. Battled strongly under Jessica Valenti before peaking late on his effort. Saw no part of the track again last start when not beaten far and draws a gate here with Pike taking the ride.