Only 5 runners have been declared for Saturday’s Betfair Ascot Chase, after Knowhere and Monet’s Garden were withdrawn.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