Lil Rockerfeller to take the Long Walk to glory at Ascot
Published:
Action from Ascot and Haydock live on the box
Kempton and Leopardstown may be just around the corner but there’s still some cracking racing on ITV this Saturday.
There’s black type action from Ascot as well as some decent fare from Haydock across the day.
The Coral News Team sift through the racing for a Bet of the Day and some key storylines.
Bet of the Day
Unowwhatimeanharry is the Coral favourite for the Long Walk Hurdle. And considering he is last year’s winner of this race, that’s understandable.
However, it’s the price on Lil Rockerfeller that intrigues most. This could be a very level-pegging sort of renewal.
Neil King’s six-year-old star made his seasonal bow at Wetherby back in November and finished a reasonably decent third.
But the American stayer beat L’Ami Serge – another runner here – last month at the course in impressive fashion.
He also finished ahead of Uknowhwhatimeanharry in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham earlier in the year. He has what it takes to get the job done in this.
Elgin to upset the apple cart
There’s a big field for the Racing Welfare Handicap Hurdle at Ascot. And that means there’s a decent opportunity for a nicely-priced winner.
Despite being given top weight, Elgin looks like he’ll take all the beating in this renewal. And he’s not even the current favourite.
He’ll have to overcome the handicap but Alan King’s progressive five-year-old has a tremendous season to date.
Elgin has already won The Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham and notched a win over this course and distance in the race before that back in early November.
Nicky Henderson – a winner of this one four times previously – will have a say with Charlie Parcs and Verdana Blue. But Elgin looks a value pick amongst a big field.
Ptit Zig to regain a bit of form
It’s been a slightly rough start to the season for Paul Nicholls’ French raider Ptit Zig.
But the Silver Cup Handicap Chase might be the perfect opportunity to lay down a marker for the rest of the campaign.
After races at Grade 2 level in his previous two, a Listed Race in better company will suit the eight-year-old.
He was third to Top Notch at Taunton last time out and looked decent in that one. His main rival here will be Jonjo O’Neill’s More Of That.
But he’s not been in great form, either. So this renewal really is set up for a Ptit Zig win.
1:50 Ascot – Ballotin
2:10 Haydock – One For Harry
2:25 Ascot – Lil Rockerfeller
2:45 Haydock – Vic De Touzaine
3:00 Ascot – Ptit Zig
3:35 Ascot – Elgin
