Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Ballykan do it for us at 16-1
DESPITE the obvious attraction of Wetherby’s Charlie Hall Chase, Ascot is the place to look for today’s punting action.
There are two valuable handicaps on the card but they are only the supporting act to the £100,000 Sodexo Gold Cup (3.35).
This three-miler has developed into a real early season ‘target’ race for trainers with up-andcoming young chasers.
And the stats for us to find the likely hero are: Aged six or seven. Carrying no more than 11st 3lb.
Not favourite or a complete outsider.
Not a previous winner of this contest.
Another interesting factoid is that Paul Nicholls has never won the race despite having many near misses.
Taking into account the all-important trends, we are left with a shortlist of Ballycross, Ballykan, Braqueur D’OR, Emerging Force.
Nicholls’
has been on the go all summer so is hardly going to improve.
has better potential and his Aintree fifth to Sizing Codalco in April was an excellent effort.
There is a suggestion he’s a weak finisher and is short enough in the market to be ignored. Nigel Twiston-davies’
posted his only win on heavy ground and his stable companion is much preferred.
His recent Chepstow third in a strong race was a decent performance.
He stays well and has big-track form, so have 2pts each-way at 16-1 where you can get it.