BETTING BOX |
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FIXED ODDS |
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 | 1pt win Fathsta in 15.25 Ascot at 25/1 (General). | Looks well handicapped on soft ground form stepped back up to seven. |
| 1pt win White Frost in 15.25 Chester at 16/1 (William Hill). | Looks capable off this mark particularly in soft conditions. |
David Simcock has had some success in the past in this type of contest with the likes of Noble Citizen and he can strike in the Betfred Victoria Cup Handicap at Ascot on Saturday with FATHSTA at 25/1.
Noble Citizen was entered at the five-day stage but the ground has turned against him so Simcock relies on Mabait and Fathsta with the latter looking a likely type to defy his big odds.
You wouldn't describe the seven-year-old as an Ascot specialist after his three runs here but he ran with great credit in the Wokingham when he ran a six-length sixth behind Deacon Blues, a place ahead of Hoof It.
That was off a mark of 98 and he races off an 8lb-lower rating now after a series of defeats over six furlongs on good or better ground.
I'm of the opinion he's a much better horse when he can get his toe in and, four times a winner over seven furlongs, he looks handicapped to have a say back at that trip following his seven-race stint over six.
The last time he ran over seven he ran a cracker to be third in the Bunbury Cup behind Brae Hill, who he gets a 10lb-pull at the weights with here.
Brae Hill is 12/1 but Fathsta is over twice the price and that has to be value so we'll snap it up.
You can't have enough strings to your bow in races like this and I also think it's worth backing Charlie Hills' WHITE FROST at 16s.
This lightly-raced grey Verglas colt also likes soft ground as he advertised when winning a Newmarket handicap last August.
He hasn't raced on such conditions since but has continued his improvement over this trip on better ground and he has some course form under belt too following a close-up eight in an apprentice handicap last time.
He went well first time out as a two-year-old and a three-year-old so there's every reason to think he'll be ready for this - add him to your staking plan at 16s.
