rest of Ascot

The other 6 races today at Ascot are also extremely high-class and it could well be another red-letter for in-form trainer Nicky Henderson, who has fancied runners (often several of them) in every race. He saddles 2 of the 5 runners in the Grade Two Boylesports International over hurdles at 14.40, a race carried over from last weekend´s abandoned Cheltenham meeting. Although the field has cut up, it is still a fascinating contest. Hemderson´s runners Binocular (Tony McCoy), currently favourite for the Champion Hurdle, anthe mare Chomba Womba (Barry Geraghty) are obvious candidates, while current Champion Hurdler Katchit (Alan King( Robert Thornton) has been slightly below form this season. Celestial Halo (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), winner of the Triumph, and the much-improved Crack Away Jack (Emma Lavelle/ Jack Doyle) are by no means out of it. Henderson also saddles two runners in the handicap chase at 14.05, with much interest centred on Trabolgan (Barry Geraghty), who has not run since winning the Hennessy in 2005, but possibly may find stable-companion Oedipe (Tony McCoy) sharper this time. Top-weights Gungadu (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) and Monkerhostin (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) are always to be feared at this level. The valuable Ladbroke handicap hurdle over 2 miles at 15.45 is te big betting race of thr day, and Henderson again has a strong hand with Aigle d´Or (McCoy) and Sentry Duty (Geraghty), while there has been a huge market move for Belcantista (Philip Hobbs/ Tom O´Brien), running in the same JP McManus colours as Aigle dÓr. Top-weight Ashkazar (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy) is another potential Champion Hurdle candidate and the stable has won this race repeatedly, while Group Captain (Hugh Collingridge/ Richard Killoran) appeals as the best outsider.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: My Petra - Gwanako - Pur De Sivola
2.Race: Trabolgan - Oedipe - Eric`S Charm
3.Race: Binocular - Crack Away Jack - Katchit
4.Race: Punchestowns - Duc De Regniere - Blazing Bailey
5.Race: Aigle D`Or - Numide - Ashkazar
6.Race: Edgbriar - Barnhill Brownie - I`M The Decider
7.Race: Red Harbour - Larks Lad - Pearlysteps