Dave Massy enjoyed spectacular success last weekend with 33/1 shot Gangouly landing the Cheltenham feature, and is back with his Saturday Best Bets for Ascot and Haydock.
Saturday Best Bets: Dave Massey’s Ascot and Haydock Tips
For possibly more than one reason My Silver Lining (3.05) found it hard work last year, never really getting her season going but she’s looked a bit more like her old self in two starts this year, a solid fourth to Lord Accord on her reappearance at Fontwell and then getting a lot nearer to Lord Accord in the Berkshire National at Ascot last time, reducing the deficit from ten lengths to half a length as the pair finished second and third to the thrown-in Rock My Way.
Saturday Best Bets: My Silver Lining (Haydock, 3.05)
Deep ground won’t bother her at all, as she showed when a game third to Beauport in the Midlands National a couple of seasons ago, and she’s now 11lb lower than that mark today after her below-par 24/25 season. She should be cherry-ripe as far as fitness goes here, and should be up to giving a good account of herself.
Saturday Best Bets: Doddiethegreat (Ascot, 2.25)
More likely winners for sure, but with possible fitness doubts about Honesty Policy, and Strong Leader’s blowout in this race last year still hard to shake from the memory bank, I think there’s enough reason to try and outsider each-way here. Doddiethegreat (2.25) fits the bill. He’s always had talent, but has been held back through little setbacks or, when he’s been right, poor stable form at the wrong time.
However, it’s all systems go for him this season and he’s an improved horse, a length and a half behind Strong Leader at Wetherby first time up and then fourth to stable Impose Toi in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last time, still in with every chance at the last. There might yet be another step forward in him, despite his age, and I don’t see how he can be five times the price of the principals here. The ground should be ideal, and I reckon he can hit the frame, or maybe even better.
Saturday Best Bets: Henry’s Friend (Ascot, 3.00)
Whatever was wrong with Henry’s Friend (3.00) that caused him to run so poorly at Cheltenham a week ago, it can’t have been serious, because he’s back out again and looking to put that run behind him in quick time.
His previous run was a really solid one, beating that classy yardstick The Changing Man over this C&D and I’d rather look at that as an indicator of his current capabilities than the Cheltenham run. That took his Ascot score to two wins from two runs here and he clearly likes the place. With the ground not likely to get deep, take him to bounce back and run a much better race today.
Saturday Best Bets : Welsh Charger (Ascot, 3.35)
For a horse with as good a win rate as Welsh Charger (3.35) has (6-14 over hurdles) he keeps going off a big price for decent handicaps and that was the case again when a 28-1 chance for the Greatwood Handicap at Cheltenham last time.
Once again, though, he outran those big odds by finishing fourth, finishing 13½ lengths behind Alexei and whilst he hasn’t the untapped potential for better that Alexei has, a 13lb swing in the weights in his favour ought to enable him to get closer. He’s still looked in need of both runs this season and should be approaching peak fitness now, and Johnny Burke looks a good booking. Expect him to be prominent throughout.
By Dave Massey
Please note that the information provided in this Saturday Best Bets article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
18+ | BeGambleAware.org
Supercharge your bets with kwiff
