Ascot Preview & Best Bets – Saturday 23 December

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

Ascot Tips 23/12/2023 

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 5 No. 6 GIFT OF THE HEART – ($4) 

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. Trainer Roy Rogers goes for the claim of Madi Derrick to bring Gift Of The Heart in under the minimum.

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 8 No. 3 STORMY TAWNY – ($6)

We really can’t work out this early market between STORMY TAWNY and #WABlackbookers horse Harmika. We black booked the latter off their previous encounter when Harmika drew poorly in a fast run race. Stormy Tawny received the gun-run from William Pike as the two horses moved into the race together. Stormy Tawney packed too much into the run home for Harmika who would’ve taken plenty of benefit from her second-up run. There is a weight swing in favour of that horse who will need every bit of it on Saturday. The barrier draw has again fallen to the favour of Stormy Tawny without the same level of pace in this race to string the field out.

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 6 No. 6 THE VELVET QUEEN – ($8.50) 

Lark Hill trainer Darren McAuliffe had given THE VELVET QUEEN two quiet trials leading into her first-up assignment in the Lee Steer Stakes over 1400m. She raced a little fresh under Patrick Carbery towards the rear of the field as they flew along in front. Carbery found nothing to take him into the race as the pressure began to build inside the 600m and so had to bide his time until straightening. The Velvet Queen was a minute off them at that point and really pleased in the way that she hit the line late. Her run in the Railway was far better than it reads on paper and will pay to forgive latest effort in the Northerly. The Velvet Queen will enjoy getting back to a smaller field with some room to move.