DOLLAR SAVES THE DAY FOR DAQMAN: After seconds at 3-1 and 5-4, it was third time lucky for Daqman with BETDAQ-value Dollar Bae (WON 10-11), backed in from 2.58 offers at Southwell yesterday.
IS NICHOLLS’ MARE THE NEW CHAMP? Daqman has planned a gamble in the Long Walk Hurdle, introducing a progressive Paul Nicholls mare as a FORTUNE COOKIE against previous winners Champ and Paisley Park.
MIRANDA COULD CRASH THE PARTY
Shortest price yet. Energumene at 1-9 became Willie Mullins ninth winner in the last 10 Hilly Way Chases at Cork yesterday.
Douvan (2016) was the last long-odds-on Mullins winner at 1-6 as part of 14 winners in a row.
We were looking for just such a sequence opportunity from stablemate Dinoblue, who was the gamble as Daqman forecast but was used up when Impervious came at her; both will meet again in the mares chases.
⚠️ HEADS UP Fingers (in gloved hands) crossed to beat the frost for Ascot’s two-day meeting, Friday and Saturday.
⭕ 2.20 Ascot, Saturday (Long Walk Hurdle) The Long Walk is looking old hat, with last year’s winner, Champ, likely favourite to defend his title against dual winner, Paisley Park (2018 and 2020).
Both are now 10 years old going on 11, which is why Fortune Cookies inserted Miranda into the list, hoping to see her break the mould.
Her form is a stone short of their ratings but she is in receipt of 7lb and her first start over 3m last month saw her dispose of a three-horse field at Kempton by 11 lengths, appearing to show class and improvement.
She wants soft ground to be seen at her best, so we won’t mind the snow if we get the thaw! The forecast is warmer for the weekend.
⭕ 2.55 Ascot Saturday (Silver Cup) Annsam could try for a Silver Cup double, just a pound higher than last year.
Nicky Henderson and Anthony Honeyball, trainers of two winners each in the last seven seasons, may saddle likely long-shots Caribean Boy and dual winner Regal Encore.
Venetia Williams, who sent out the disappointing favourite, Belami Des Pictons a year ago, can choose between Fontaine Collonges, Quick Wave (who have both won their last two) and Fanion D’Estruval.
A RISING STAR
⭕ 1.42 Lingfield This afternoon’s (oops checks times, this MORNING’s) card at Lingfield got the go-ahead but I will leave the sole AM race as it looks impossibly trappy.
It’s quite an odd card – the 12.42 features Huberts Dream who is up 8lb from his last start and yet is forecast at 1/4 favourite to win this (so called) handicap. In fairness he did bolt up over course and distance last week but at that price I’m happy to let him win.
The 1.42 does throw up a bet on a day of limited opportunities – so I will keep the stakes low.
Ower Starlight might be worth another chance after disappointing last week. He finished only 9th having gone off favourite but was beaten less than four lengths and met trouble in the run. That run aside, he has been remarkably consistent at this level and is preferred to the morning Betdaq Betting Exchange favourite Giorgio Vasari who scampered clear to win at Wolverhampton last week but has a tougher task under a penalty in what looks a more competitive heat.
HOT TIP
⭕ 3.20 Lingfield It might qualify as the most inappropriately named horse today but Hot Day is worth a play on a cold day now he has finally got some luck in the draw department.
He finished a good course and distance third last time out from berth 14 despite meeting trouble in the run and a reproduction of that effort with an added present of 2lb from the handicapper makes him hard to beat.
The obvious danger has to be Persian Wolf who bids to follow up on last week’s Chelmsford win off a 4lb higher mark but his overall profile (2 wins from 22) would cast some doubts as to whether he can do that.
SUN NEEDED FOR SON
⭕ 8.30 Wolverhampton I was hoping to bring definite news as to whether Wolverhampton goes ahead tonight but the course have announced a third inspection for 2pm. I couldn’t wait any longer.
Hopefully at worst it will be a non runner as I think Vitesse Du Son has an outstanding chance in the finale.
Trained by Alice Haynes, the five-year-old probably just needs to reproduce his course and distance second on Friday night to win a race that looks no more competitive.
Haseef was third in the same race (different division) and looks the danger.
DAQMAN’S BETS
1.42 Lingfield (win 10)
BET 2.1pts win OWER STARLIGHT
3.20 Lingfield (win 10)
BET 3.1pts win HOT DAY
8.30 Wolverhampton (win 10, nap)
BET 5.4pts win VITESSE DU SON
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