3.00pm Ascot Tips & Betting Preview 04/11/2017

3.00pm Ascot tips for Saturday’s Listed race. A field of fifteen go to post for this two mile Listed contest, with some very useful types going to post. Read on for our free betting tips, predictions and analysis.

IN SUMMARY: This is a cracking race with so many potentially smart horses involved including Jenkins, Verdana Blue and Elgin. They all hold strong chances but preference is for AIR HORSE ONE, who started to make giant progressive strides when learning to settle better. He was fourth in the County Hurdle at the Festival off only one pound lower and a similar display will see him very tough to beat under Noel Fehily.

1 AIR HORSE ONE – Learned to settle in his races last season and as a result he improved markedly, winning three races and finishing a close fourth in the County Hurdle. His current mark of 141 is only one pound higher than his Festival mark and he shouldn’t be for catching here.

2 HIGH BRIDGE – Completed a hat-trick with a comfortable victory at Newbury in February and he was understandably outclassed in the Supreme at the Festival. There may be still more to come but his opening mark is quite harsh and he can only be watched here.

3 ELGIN – Shaped into a smart Novice Hurdler last season for Alan King, last seen finishing a close fourth in Handicap company at Chepstow. He’s on the same mark and is entitled to come on for that, so he holds each way claims.

4 JENKINS – Had a big reputation after his demolition of a smart Newbury bumper twelve months ago but he only ran three times over timber, with both his wins coming in modest races. He should improve this term though and there is plenty of time for him, so he has to be respected.

5 VERDANA BLUE – Very useful mare for Nicky Henderson who was fourth in a Grade 2 at the Cheltenham Festival last term, though her finishing effort was weak. That seems to be a theme for her and her opening mark isn’t lenient.

6 DOLOS – Has finished second in two very competitive races the last twice, running a great race to finish second on seasonal debut at Chepstow. He’s on the same mark here and has obvious claims with Stan Sheppard claiming three pounds.

7 CAID DU LIN – Finally got his head back in front with a comfortable success at Fontwell last month, with the handicapper slapping him with a six pound rise. He comes up against some improvers here and looks vulnerable for win purposes.

8 SONG LIGHT – One of the more exposed runners in the field, winning on the flat to mark his seasonal return which is encouraging. He finished second off this mark over hurdles back in April and holds each way claims.

9 FOU ET SAGE – Has been hard to gauge, switching yards on multiple occasions and his only good effort for his current yard remains a second at Wetherby. His current mark isn’t harsh but there are too many questions to answer today.

10 PERUVIEN BLEU – Posted a career best performance under today’s seven pound claimer when winning readily at Ludlow last month, with an eight pound rise giving him far more to do here in a tougher race.

11 MIDNIGHT MAESTRO – Won a Handicap at Stratford back in March with a good run but he was disappointing when slammed at Haydock on his latest start as the favourite. He remains with potential for better but others are preferred on balance.

12 PRAIRIE TOWN – Tends to run his race in good handicaps without managing to get his head in front, only third at Ayr when last seen in a Class 3 event. He’s two pounds lower here but sticks out as being vulnerable in this field.

13 LIMITED REVERSE – Made a terrible mid rest mistake at Market Rasen on return but recovered well to finish fourth, doing best of those held up. He’s only a pound higher here and a similar display gives him strong each way credentials.

14 CLAYTON – Hasn’t been seen since November 2016, where he was a clear second to the useful Peter The Mayo Man. He’s four pound lower here but is entitled to need this run and others make far more appeal.

15 EAST INDIES – Tends to over-race for Gary Moore but this big field scenario should suit him, especially with the possibility of a strong pace. That said, his current mark looks stiff enough now he’s upped in grade and he may just struggle here.