Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Ascot and Wetherby Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Ascot 1.30 – Handicap Chase
I’m going to go for Viroflay (5/2) in this one.
This horse did really well last year and looks better than that grade. He’s actually still able to run in novice company but has plenty of experience.
Olive (Nicholls) gets on with him really well – he’s had an away day and looks in great form. He’s likely to bowl along on the front end, so Olive will have to get the fractions right around Ascot, but a small field suits and if he gets into a good jumping rhythm, he will take some beating.
Megan’s Tip: Viroflay WIN
Ascot 2.05 – 3m Handicap Chase
This looks a great opportunity for L’eau Du Sud (7/2f).
Grade 1 winning chaser back into handicap company on his return. He appears to be fairly ground versatile, kept improving throughout last year and even in defeat, he was a real battler – he has a really willing way about him
Boothill keeps him off top weight in the race, and for a Grade 1 winner, he is running off a fairly nice mark.
It will be a case of getting him into a rhythm, getting him jumping and he could outclass his rivals. He is into open company now after being a novice last year, and he will have to step it up.
He’s capable of doing that though, especially in this Grade. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back up in a better class at some point this season.
Megan’s Tip: L’eau Du Sud
Wetherby 2.22 – Yorkshire Hurdle
I am going to go for Potters Charm (2/1).
A horse that I enjoyed progressing in a busy year as a novice, he probably outdid expectations and proved himself at a good level.
He is up against his elders here and stepping up in trip, but I think that will help him and I don’t see it being a problem if he gets relaxed early.
Strong Leader has the form at the top level but seems to save his best for the Spring and Aintree. He was well beaten on return last year and struggled to get into the swing of things in the early part of the season, so I’m not sure how much I trust him right now.
He is the favourite and the one with the strongest form, but I am not taking a chance on him, and I’m going with Potters Charm, the horse open to the most improvement still.
Megan’s Tip: Potters Charm WIN
Ascot 2.35 – Novices Hurdle
I have gone for Military Alliance (4/1).
Harry Derham’s horses are in really good form, and this horse won on his stable debut in the spring, still looking quite raw.
He’s done well over the winter, and his training has been good up to this weekend. He seems to be in great order. Paul O’Brien has come to Ascot over Wetherby and I think Military Alliance could go very well.
Depending on price, this could be an each-way pick as It will be an open race, but he has a real chance of going very close.
Megan’s Tip: Military Alliance WIN
Wetherby 2.57 – Charlie Hall Chase
I think Pic D’Orhy (4/1) has been massively overlooked.
He goes very well fresh at the early part of the season, and has proven that he is a high-class horse on a going day and when in a rhythm, he is not easy to pass. Harry Cobden is on board and gets on exceptionally well with him.
I feel as though the ground is in his favour.
Protektorat would have preferred a lot more rain and the ground to be slower than it is looking like, and this plays into the hands of Pic D’Orhy, who has got that natural high cruising speed that gets horses out of their comfort zone.
Hewick enjoys this ground too, but he is an out-and-out stayer, and I think Pic D’Orhy will be able to out-speed him.
Megan’s Tip: Pic D’Orhy
Ascot 3.10 – Handicap Hurdle
I can see the angle with Alexei (10/3f) here.
He finished behind a very classy Celtic Dino at Chepstow on return, where he did very little wrong, possibly tiring a little late on and being outclassed eventually by a horse who is competitive at the Grade 1 level.
Alexei could still have more to come this mark; he could be sharper for the return at Chepstow and it is likely that the stiff Ascot track will suit.
Each way here, he got tired on return and has taken a step forward with 7lb off his back, Fasol (8/1) is my pick with Freddie Keighley in the saddle.
He isn’t the easiest to win with, but runs very well in these big field Handicaps, will be fitter for that return run, and he can outrun his odds here. I’m sure this horse needs further, but a fast-run race will suit him and hopefully Freddie can fill him with confidence and get him into the race late on.
Megan’s Tip: Alexi WIN; Fasol EW
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
