Ascot today

the good news is that all racing is on in the U.K. and Ireland today, despite the continued awful weather. The bad news of course is that the going will be very testing everywhere, making punting very difficult.
Ascot is the main meting today and the Grade One Clarence House Chase over 2 miles at 16.35 CET the best race. Sire de Grugy (Gary and Jamie Moore) is the logoical choice here; he is in great form, having won 7 of his last 10 races, including beating many of these opponents both at Kempton last time (where Sprinter Sacre was pulled up, which certainly devalues the form a bit) and at Sandown before that. He will also cope with the conditions than many of the others, another factor to his advantage. However we still have a nagging doubt. He has never run at Ascot before and we give slight preference to Somersby (Mick Channon/ Dominic Elsworth), who is a real course specialist: he won this race in 2012 and was only beaten a short head in 2011. The ground is obviously a worry and he was 4 lengths behind Sire de Grugy at Sandown, but his good course record speaks for him. He would certainly be the most emotional winner after the death of Terry Biddlecombe a few days ago. The two Irish challengers Days Hotel (Henry de Bromhead/ Richard Johnson) and Hidden Cclone (Shark Hanlon/ Andrew McNamara) are next best, but in our view- and according to the ratings - they are not good enoiugh to win.
The Grade Two Mares hurdle at 14.50 has only attracted a modest field for this grade, even though most of the runners come here in good form. Carole´s Spirit (Rupert Walford/ Leighton Aspell) has won her last 3 races easily enough but this is a much tougher race and our preference is for Highland Retreat (Harry Fry/ Noel Fehily) and Mickie (Henry Daly/ Johnson), both of whom have won their last two races and should handle the ground o.k.
The handicap hurdle at 15.25 is also a Grade Two event and looks much more open. The Skyfarmer (Philip Hobbs/ Johnson) has won his last 4 races, but they were all on good going and he has shot up the weights as a result. Minella Forfitnmess (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass) is also unproven on the ground and does not appear well handicapped. On what could be a good day for the Moore family, Knight of Pleasure must be considered, but our two main hopes are Irish Saint (Paul Nicholls/ Fehily) and especially Bourne (Donald McCain/ Henry Brooke), a CD winner who acts on the heavy and who looks very well treated off bottom weight.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Masquerading - Handiwork - Mandy`s Boy
2. Race: Bobcatbilly - Ballinvarrig - Kingcora
3. Race: Mickie - Prima Porta - Utopie Des Bordes
4. Race: The Skyfarmer - Get Back In Line - Minella Forfitness
5. Race: Renard - Theatrical Star - Bury Parade
6. Race: Sire De Grugy - Somersby - Hidden Cyclone
7. Race: Champagne West - Knock House - Swallowshide