Selections for Saturday 19th February 2022
2.05 Haydock
1 point each way Top Ville Ben (8/1 General, 2 places)
Top Ville Ben is more recognized as a staying chaser but is battle hardened and might handle these conditions better than most here. He won last time out at Lingfield (2m7f, heavy) and surprisingly was left on a mark of 140. He was once rated 164 chasing albeit a couple of seasons ago. I expect him to jump off in front and put these to the sword on ground he clearly handles.
2.40 Haydock
1 point each way The Galloping Bear (15/2 Coral, 4 places)
The Galloping Bear will relish these testing conditions and a true test of stamina. He is a lightly raced nine year old who is unexposed at this level. He won two Hunter Chases early last year and landed a handicap at Lingfield (3m5f, heavy) last month. He has been raised 5lbs for that but he will love these conditions and stay forever. He should at least place here
1 point each way Bristol De Mai (11/2 Skybet/ William Hill/ Betfair, 4 places)
On his best form Bristol De Mai would win this easily but even now the handicapper has given him a chance. He was a three time Grade 1 Betfair Chase winner and although pulling up in that race last November he finished a good third at Lingfield (2m6f, heavy) in January. A mark of 159 gives him a chance here if staying out this 3m4 ½f contest
2.25 Ascot
1 point each way Fiddlerontheroof ( 3/1 Paddy power/ Betfair/ Betvictor, 3 places)
We go to war again with Fiddlerontheroof who nearly collected the money in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft) last time out. He finished second by half a length to Cloudy Glen that day and it was 28 lengths back to the third. He has been raised 5lbs as a consequence but is open to further improvement. The Tizzards have hopes of him being better than a handicapper in time and he should go close here. He has form on soft/heavy ground
1 point each way Regal Encore (16/1 Bet 365/ Paddy power/ Coral, 3 places)
This selection might look a little left field especially as Regal Encore is 14 years young. I am however willing to take a chance with form figures of 1332 in the last four runnings of this race. He has had his third wind operation since his last run and loves the forecasted soft/heavy conditions. The last time he had his wind done he won over course and distance off a mark of 145, so off 140 he’s hard to pass. He has won around here off higher marks four times. I just think if connections didn’t fancy another good performance he surely would have been retired. It’s not like this horse owes them anything at this stage
3.00 Ascot
1 point each way Zacony Rebel (5/1 Skybet/ Paddy power/ Betfair, 5 places)
Zacony Rebel can be competitive here off a mark of 127. He ran second off a mark of 124 at Huntingdon in December (2m, good) He got outpaced by the winner on good ground that day and both the step up in trip and soft ground will help bring out improvement here. He won last time at Ludlow (2m, soft) by 12 lengths and that form has been franked by the second and third both running well in second subsequently.
3.38 Ascot
1 point each way Fanion Destruval (13/2 Paddy power/ Betfair/ William Hill, 3 places)
I was impressed with Fanion Destruval last time over course and distance when he ran our selection that day Phoenix Way to 1 ½ lengths off a mark of 159. The pair were 16 lengths clear of the third. Before that he won readily at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) At the age of 7 he is open to further improvement and Venetia Williams horses couldn’t be running better. It is a competitive Grade 1 and cases can be made for most the field but at an each way price I’m happy to side with Fanion Destruval
**Date & Time of next Selections
Friday 25th February at 9pm..
Check ITV racing schedule at https://www.itv.com/racing/articles/schedule-next-live-racing-on-itv