Horse racing tips for Ascot Chase day and Irish Grand National Trial at Punchestown
Ascot hosts a huge card of racing this weekend which includes Graded meetings including Grade 1 runners Shishkin, Fakir D’oudairies and Pic D’Orhy.
But over in Ireland on Sunday it’s the Grand National Trial, a Grade B contest, with the winner taking home €53,100, with the Gigginstown Stud colours dominant in the field.
The Betfair Chase is preceded by other top-class races including the Bateaux London Renyoldstown Novices Chase (Grade 2) and an intriguing big field for a Class 1 Chase.
Betfair Chase day odds and tips
1.50: Bold Endeavour 4/6
Hard not to fancy this Nicky Henderson-trained horse who has won his last two and rated 8lb higher than his closest rival.
Steps up to a Grade 2 for the first time and has only completed two chases before this.
But both times he’s justified favouritism and done so with plenty in hand and even though he comes up against this unbeaten Kinondo Kwetu, he should get there with the help of Nico de Boinville (6-14, 43%).
2.25: Danny Kirwan 13/2
Sporting John will be one to keep an eye on as the top-weight, who has struggled recently, had wind surgery in December and could gain a lot of market attention towards the off.
But for now, it’s easy to side with two runners in this 14-runner handicap chase.
The two are shorter in the market and don’t offer too much return for placing but justifiably hold leading claims as frontrunners, Revels Hill and Danny Kirwan.
Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden has has seven chases, won two and placed second on three occasions.
Coming second over 3m here in October in the Grade 3 London Gold Cup.
3.35, Betfair Ascot Chase: Pic D’Orhy 5/2
The Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase is contested over 2m5f with this year featuring just the seven runners at this stage.
Shishkin stands out, still rated 174, but is still just the third favourite in the days leading up to the event.
The last time the Nicky Henderson-trained horse won was back at Ascot in the Clarence House Chase in the race of the year against Energumene.
Since then, he tailed off to pull up at Cheltenham Festival and finished third in the Tingle Creek.
He steps up in trip for the first time beyond 2m3f since February 2020 and will hopefully return to his winning ways.
Fakir D’oudairies won this last year by just under two lengths but has two close rivals this year and Paul Nicholls’ Pic D’Orhy looks the danger.
Winning three this season and in even better style on his latest run and goes well over this trip and on good ground which seems likely this weekend.
Grand National Trial preview and tip
2.10: Dunboyne 50/1 each-way
There’s 17 runners for this big trail handicap chase over 3m4f and it’s Gordon Elliott who has plenty of chances with the likes of Farclas, Coko Beach, Death Duty, Milan Native and Defi Blue.
Diol Ker and Eurobot trained by Noel Meade represent the other two Gigginstown Stud runners.
The trainer was speaking to Horse Racing Odds about his chances and runners on the day with two in the trial and one in the handicap hurdle.
Meade explained: “The obvious one that has the best chance would be Diol Ker. He was just touched off in the Paddy Power, we decided not to run him in the Thyestes and waited for this instead because three and a half miles will be up his alley.
“He is going to have top weight, but we are going to claim off him with the jockey. We are hopeful enough that he will run a big race.
“Maybe Eurobot can spring a surprise but he will want to be doing it a lot better than he has been lately, for sure.
“He’s been disappointing to be honest, he’s a bit one-paced and his jumping has fallen to pieces the last couple of times he has run. Look, I’m hopeful but I wouldn’t put him forward to win it.
“The horse that was just touched off in the Thyestes, Dunboyne, if he runs then he will have a big chance. Gordon [Elliott] has a few, obviously last year’s winner is in it, at joint top-weight.
“Maybe on very heavy ground it might be an advantage to have that run but we dodged it with our lad in the hopes we would have him fresher for this race.”
But it’s Elliott’s other runner Dunboyne who could be sided with after finishing a close second last time out over 3m1f to Carefully Selected in Gowran Park’s Grade A Handicap Chase.
Will likely be another decent each-way price as he was last time out and likes the mud.
Horse Racing new customer sign up offers
*18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet up to £30 (min. £20) on any horse racing market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get your stake refunded in free bets on selected events if your first bet loses. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Bet365: Bet £10 Get £50 – CLAIM HERE
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply 18+ Begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
888Sport: Bet £10 Get £30 + £10 Casino – CLAIM HERE
New customers only. Min deposit £10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.5) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expires after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Casino bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions & full T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Betfred: Bet £10 get £60 in Bonuses – CLAIM HERE
New UK customers only. Register using the promo code BETFRED60, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £20 in Free Bets to be used on Sports, £10 in Free Bets to be used on Lotto and 50 Free Spins (20p per spin) credited within 48 hours of bet settlement. Further £20 in Free Bets credited 5 days after settlement. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
BetVictor: Bet £10 Get £40 in Bonuses – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in and place a £10 bet on Horse Racing at odds of 2.00+ within 7 days of opening a new account; excludes cashed out bets. Receive 3x £10 Horse Racing Free Bets, valid on set events only at odds 2.00+. Plus, a £10 Slot Bonus, selected games, wager 20x to withdraw a max of £250. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply. begambleaware.org.
Betway: £30 matched free bet if your first acca loses – CLAIM HERE
New UK customers only. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Debit card deposits only. Deposit method restrictions apply. This offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full terms apply.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
