Ascot Silver Cup Tips & Betting Preview

IN SUMMARY: With both Yala Enki and Go Conquer likely to squabble for the lead, this race should be set up for a closer and that fast finishing horse should be SINGLEFARMPAYMENT. Second in the Ultima Handicap at the Festival, he was just getting into the race when falling in the Ladbrokes Trophy on his latest start. He’s on the same mark here and can make amends, as he still remains with potential in this sphere. The strong pace should also suit Fortunate George, who could sneak a place at a bigger price.

1 PTIT ZIG – Smart eight year old who didn’t run badly when third in the Peterborough Chase at Taunton nine days ago behind Top Notch. He now steps up in trip and does stay this far, but he burdens a welterweight here and needs a career best to be winning. Each way player at a price but vulnerable for win purposes.

2 O O SEVEN – Running consistently well of late and returned this season with a very good third at Newbury, perhaps unlucky after having to switch late on. He’s only a pound higher here and a step up in trip should suit him massively in these conditions. Each way contender under Daryl Jacob.

3 GO CONQUER – Arrives on a hat-trick after recording a course and distance success in the Grade 3 Sodexo Gold Cup on his latest start. He won easily after jumping perfectly throughout, raised nine pounds as a result. The run was very taking though and he holds a clear follow up chance if continuing to progress.

4 FRODON – Three solid runs in defeat this season, finishing third behind Top Notch in the 1965 Chase over 2m 5f here last month. He switches back to handicaps off a workable mark, but this trip on softer ground does raise stamina concerns. Others are preferred on this occasion.

5 REGAL ENCORE – Has been hugely inconsistent over the past few seasons, recording a rare good effort when third in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury earlier this month. He’s on the same mark here but is far from guaranteed to back up that effort. Couldn’t be entirely discounted but others are far less risky.

6 YALA ENKI – Front-runner who ran a good race when third at Newcastle in a Listed contest on his latest start, dropped a pound since. He won’t be getting a soft lead here which is a negative for him and he does need a career best to defy this mark. Not entirely discounted but others are preferred.

7 SINGLEFARMPAYMENT – Promising seven year old who returned this season with a good second at Cheltenham, creeping into the Ladbrokes Trophy when falling three out on his latest start. He’s still unexposed as a stayer over fences and this race should suit him as a strong pace will be on offer. Looks very hard to beat.

8 GOLD PRESENT – Fell at Aintree to cap off last season but he flew home to win at Newbury on his return, shaping as though he’d suit an even bigger test. He gets that here and although he’s raised five pounds, he’s entitled to come on for that run. Each way contender for in form, top connections as the ground should be fine.

9 ON TOUR – Returned this season with an Aintree win, coming readily clear on the flat. He was travelling well behind Gold Present when falling at Newbury on his latest start, remaining on the same mark. He boasts a five pound pull with that rival and he’s an each way contender upped in trip.

10 BIGBADJOHN – Grade 2 winner here back in February but it’s all gone wrong since, well beaten on all his runs. He’s proved very quirky and was never in the hunt when tenth in the Ladbrokes Trophy on his latest start. He drops in the weights once again but makes no appeal.

11 WALK IN THE MILL – Back to form on his latest start when scoring over course and distance, winning comfortably after a super leap at the last. He’s now eight pounds higher in a much tougher race though and he does need to improve once again. Looks vulnerable in a deeper race.

12 CLONDAW CIAN – Course and distance second on his latest start in a Class 3 event, bumping into a potentially smart one at Market Rasen last time. He returns to handicaps in a very deep event and judging by his previous record at this level, he shouldn’t be good enough.

13 FORTUNATE GEORGE – Back to form on his latest start when scoring over 2m 5f at this venue last month, winning by sixteen lengths. He rallied bravely that day and now goes up in distance which seems sure to suit. A ten pound rise is harsh though another jolt of progress. A strong pace gives him each way claims off this mark.

14 ICING ON THE CAKE – Lightly raced seven year old whose sole victory over fences remains a win at Newbury in a four runner race. He was well held behind O O Seven at Newbury on his latest start and he remains vulnerable now upped into Listed company.