Only 5 runners have been declared for Saturday’s Betfair Ascot Chase, after Knowhere and Monet’s Garden were withdrawn. The Grade 1 Chase is on BBC1 at 2.15pm, and will be run over 2m5f.

Yet another feature race with poor each way terms – the bookmakers must be licking their lips.

I will be taking on 6/5 favourite Voy Por Ustedes, even though he is miles ahead of his other runners in terms of ratings. The heavy ground is a huge concern for favourite backers, but Voy Por will like the drop back in trip after finishing 3rd in the King George behind Kauto Star.

The stiff track is a minor negative, added to the fact the Alan King doesn’t have a great record at the track. Voy Por is the 7/2 favourite for the Ryanair Chase.

The obvious alternative is David Pipe‘s Tamarinbleu, who is a 2/1 chance. Pipe has a habit of taking the feature races, even when his stable appears to be suffering in form. Tamarinbleu will go well after his break, and he looked the likely winner when finishing 2nd to Snoopy Loopy in the Betfair Chase (Haydock).

He ran below par in the King George, but that was when the stable was mis-firing. He is likely to run from the front, so you could even do a back-to-lay on Betfair.

7/2 Gwanako is the mounth of Ruby Walsh, and is a progressive young chaser. He won at Ascot last time out, albeit in a Class 2 affair. Paul Nicholls admits he will need to improve greatly to trouble the favourite, but the form from that Ascot race has worked out well, with Miss Mitch winning in January.

50/1 The Sawyer completes the field, but cannot he overlooked. He needs to find plenty according to the ratings, but he won on heavy ground in January, and then almost went on to score a hat-trick. See what the market thinks nearer to post time.

There are some other interesting races on the card, including the Novices’ Hurdle at 2.45pm. There isn’t much talent in the field, and I will be backing 11/8 WENDEL, who was a good 3rd to Medermit over 2m in a Grade 2 event. Should like the extra distance and should be too good for Chariot Charger.

Recommendation:

8pts @ 7/5 Wendel (Centrebet – Ascot 2.45)

bookies.com compares odds between bookmakers for antepost horse racing:

Haydock Gold Cup Betting

Betfair Ascot Chase Betting

Ryanair Chase Betting
Cheltenham Gold Cup 09 Betting

45/1 Exotic Dancer has been allotted the top weight, 11st 10lb, for this year’s John Smith’s Grand National.

Following Denman‘s sub-standard performance in the Levy Board Chase, connections have sensibly decided against targeting the Gold Cup-National double. Denman had been all the ante-post rage after Paul Nicholls revealed the outrageous plan in the Racing Post, meaning he was backed into 8/1 favouritism. The plan is to go for it next year, but he may still have a run at Auteuil after the Gold Cup.

Butler’s Cabin is the 16/1 co-favourite, and could be the horse to finally break AP McCoy‘s National duck in the famous JP McManus silks. He won the 2007 Irish National, but fell at Aintree last year (10/1).

Hear The Echo is also 16/1 with Victor Chandler, who won last year’s Grand National. To me he looks harshly handicapped, but the National has been his target for a while now.

Pricewise selection Big Fella Thanks is one of those who looks well handicapped, and has thus been backed into 16s from 33/1. I probably still wouldn’t back it if Ruby Walsh was on board, given Paul Nicholl’s poor record in the race.

I am much more tempted by other Nicholls’ runners such as 25/1 My Will (ran a cracker in the Hennessy) or 50/1 Cornish Sett.

Mick Fitzgerald fancies 33/1 State of Play, and there has also been money for last year’s runner up, 25/1 King Johns Castle.

David Pipe‘s 2008 hero, Comply or Die, is 20/1 but has gone 15lb up in the weights. Another win would be a massive ask.

50/1 Endless Power has won twice at Aintree before, but may not get the trip.

This blog will be featuring an extensive Grand National preview come April, in which we will reveal our selections.

bookies.com is the best place to compare the antepost markets:

Grand National Betting

Cheltenham Gold Cup Betting