The worlds most over-rated racecourse (Ascot) is slightly in the shadow of gaff-track Wetherby today. I'll be leaving the Charlie Hall well alone as while it may not quite qualify for the label "punter's graveyard", it's buried me a few times.
Earlier on the Wetherby card, Nicky Henderson's Une Artiste starts her season against her own sex in the Listed Mares Hurdle at 2.15. 7/4 is a fair price for last season's Fred Winter winner, though there has to be some doubt about her going left handed. Also refused to race at Punchestowns in April, though given the atrocious weather conditions that day she can hardly be blamed for that.
I return to Ascot for my bet of the day, though not literally so for as long as the racecourse management presume they have the right to tell me how to dress. But I've noticed Paul Nicholls has taken control of the weights in the Handicap Chase at 3.10. Join Together disappointed in the RSA in March, and again at Aintree, but before that he had looked as chaser of great promise. He re-appears in a handicap off a mark of 151, priced around 13/2, and carrying only 10st 11lbs due to stablemate Poquelin keeping half the field out of the handicap. Victor Dartnell's Ace High is the danger.
Meanwhile, back at the California ranch, don't be fooled by last night's events into thinking the Europeans are without a chance or a clue. On Group or Grade 1 tracks anywhere in the world, the best horse usually wins. St Nicholas Abbey is the best horse in the BC Turf, and while the O'Brien pup may not be the best jockey in the world, he's proved himself up to the big occasion in the past. The 7/2 with Hills should be taken.
