3.20pm Ascot Tips & Betting Preview 18/11/2016

A fascinating staying chase with a number of horses who have every chance of making up into above average types this season.  Read on for our experts thoughts and betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: A few of these have questions to answer with regards to their attitude but the likes of Leo Luna would be interesting if on a going day.  Lamb Or Cod is fairly treated if straight enough to do himself justice while Horatio Hornblower is likely capable of better this season.  The recent rain will help Alternatif who is well treated on his December win at Fontwell, he could be a big player but the vote goes to MINELLA DADDY.  Sent from West Wales, he should appreciate going right handed having forfeited ground jumping right at both Worcester and Ffos Las.  The form of both of those runs suggest that 131 is a decent mark with the yard finally starting to show signs of life.

1 Lamb Or Cod – Back from an 19 month absence here after a win at Cheltenham in April 2015.  He is only a pound higher for that so is still fairly treated if he is ready to go.  Well worth a market check to gauge any confidence from the yard.

2 Mustmeetalady – Has the ability to be a threat off this sort of mark but isn’t the most straightforward.  Travelled well on his chasing debut before finding little off the bridle, he is thought by connections to want decent ground so doesn’t want too much more rain.

3 Tinker Time – A decent three mile chaser on his day, it’s increasingly difficult to know what Tinker Time will turn up.  Came home sore after running on quicker ground last time so a return to a little more cut will suit but he is too untrustworthy to be supported with any confidence.

4 Minella Daddy – Sole runner on the card in Berkshire for the Peter Bowen yard, making the long journey from West Wales.  He jumped right on both his chase starts so far so going right handed now could show him in a better light.  Only had eight starts under rules with any further rain likely to improve his chance.

5 Alternatif – A winner off 2lbs higher in December last year, connections will be delighted to see rain falling in recent days.  His seasonal return at Cheltenham was solid given that the ground will have been plenty fast enough for him.  Plenty in the book to give him an each way chance here especially if it keeps raining.

6 Ready Token – Twice a winner at Warwick this year, his usually sound jumping fell apart at Sedgefield when last seen.  He is likely to find it hard to dominate these from the front with the softening ground another negative.

7 Horatio Hornblower – Boasts a solid record fresh and comes here representing a yard that have started to find their groove in recent weeks.  A six pound rise looks fair enough for beating subsequent dual winner Belmount at Ffos Las given how far they were clear of the third and he is entitled to plenty of respect.

8 Leo Luna – Four wins in his last 13 starts but equally has been pulled up six times in that span.  A true feast or famine horse, he is a difficult one to predict.  Fairly treated on his best form for a canny yard, he would be of interest if the market vibes are positive.

9 No Buts – Well handicapped these days but it is two years since he last tasted victory and this trip has appeared to stretch him in the past.  The rain is in his favour but would prefer to see him over two and a half miles on genuinely soft ground before supporting him.

10 Daveron – Four career wins have all come right handed, with three of them on soft ground so looks to have conditions in his favour.  The big question mark is the trip with this being a step into the unknown but he stays 2m4f well enough to suggest he deserves a go at this trip, starting out for an in form yard.

11 St Dominick – Impressive winner over three miles on heavy ground this time last year at Exeter.  He travelled well to a point when stepped up to 3m6f the time after, a run that could have bottomed him for the rest of the season.  The ground may not be slow enough for him here but he could still be one to follow later in the season.

12 Blameitalonmyroots – A dour stayer who can’t get ground deep enough, she may find things happening a little quick for her here.  She has the potential to take higher rank this season but the Oliver Sherwood yard have been struggling for form with the majority of inmates needing their first run.

13 Cloudy Bob – Tends to save his very best for Kempton but has run well at Ascot in the past.  Probably still a little high in the weights for win purposes but a bold showing would not surprise despite being pulled up on his seasonal return.