Ascot Preview & Best Bets – Saturday 20 January

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

Ascot Tips 20/01/2024 

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 4 No. 8 HARMIKA – ($5)

Clint Johnston-Porter was content to settle towards the back of midfield aboard HARMIKA who drew poorly second-up at Ascot. The mare was buffeted by one to her outside as the start was affected yet showed good mannerisms throughout the race. CJP did have some cover despite racing three-wide the entire. He moved Harmika into the race on the turn to make his run together with the winner. Stormy Tawny found a more economical run in transit from her inside gate and was packing plenty late. We chose to be on Stormy Tawney as Harmika drew horribly again as the pair met over the same trip last start. A brilliant CJP ride saw us ruing that decision as Harmika split the gap to nail us on the line. There was no way we are staying off of our #WABlackbookers horse two runs in a row, and another brilliant CJP saw her getting home over this track and trip last start.

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 5 No. 3 I LOVE YOUR SMILE – ($4.80)

Lucy and Brandon Fiore landed a city double when I LOVE YOUR SMILE won over this track and distance last start. Lucy found the run of the race for her mount from a low gate as the pair sat much closer to the speed than usual. She put I Love Your Smile into the race on turning before opening a winning break into the straight. I Love Your Smile did have to fend off the late challenge of Captain Pluto who will be well-supported in the market again on Saturday. These two did match strides earlier in the prep with I Love Your Smile doing enough to hold Captain Pluto in the race behind San Fabrizio. Fiore will likely get back from the gate and allow I Love Your Smile to play the hunter in this race at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday.

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 9 No. 14 GIFT OF THE HEART – ($10)

Lucy Fiore gave GIFT OF THE HEART the run of the race with the horse resuming over 1400 metres at Ascot Racecourse. They did run along at a good tempo before running a fast last 600 metres. Fiore moved to attack for the lead on straightening before having to deal with Count The Sessions who loomed alongside by the furlong. Those two horses moved right away from the rest with Count The Sessions proving too strong with his race fitness. Gift Of The Heart will strip fitter after having another run since and should push forward from the wide draw under Madi Derrick on Saturday.