Ascot - Friday 20th December

 I will be at Ascot for the first day of their December meeting. It looks a good days racing.

12:45, Howden Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

East India Express 10/3

Double Powerful is seeking the 7 timer but this is by a long way the hardest task to date and may finally come unstuck. Champagne Twist is respected and should run well but East India Express looks better handicapped. Nicky Henderson's runner comes into this from a 233 day break but he won on debut last season over this trip at Kempton and the form of that maiden hurdle has worked out well enough to suggest his mark of 123 is exploitable on handicap debut. He came unstuck pitched against classy animals on heavy ground in the spring but back on a more level playing field here I think he should be going close to winning under Freddie Gordon who is claiming 3 pounds. I may have a saver on the favourite to cover my stake. 

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13:20, Howden Maiden Hurdle

Belliano 10/11

The Paul Nicholl's trained winning pointer bumped into the smart The New Lion on debut at Chepstow 52 days ago and should be up to making amends here. 

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13:55, Howden Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Iberico Lord 11/10

The Betfair Hurdle winner has to give lumps of weight away here but there are only 4 runners and this is likely to be a tactical affair that will suit him more than the others. He should be up to giving the weight and can take this on his way to better things. I will probably double him up with Belliano. 

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14:30, Racetech Handicap Hurdle

The Winslow Boy 11/1 each-way (5 places)
Wiseguy 16/1 each-way (5 places)

The Winslow Boy has been given an opening mark of 118 which is no gimme however, he finished behind 2 very good horses on seasonal debut at Worcester and duly followed that up by landing a gamble at Chepstow in very strong fashion. He's a strong stayer with plenty of experience for a novice on handicap debut here and that will see him in good stead for the in form Tom Symonds stable. At the prices, it may also be worth chancing Wiseguy who hasn't been seen to best effect so far this season but was sent off favourite last time out and the bigger field may well suit this strong traveller. 

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15:05, Howden Noel Novices' Chase

Personal Ambition 3/1

Johnny Who looks a strong stayer and this 4 runner race over the trip may not suit so I'll take a chance on Personal Ambition to step up on his run at Newbury last month where he went off way to fast and tired late on. 

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15:40, King Edward VII Ascot Membership Open NH Flat Race

Blues Singer 17/2
Tennessee Tango 17/2

I think it's worth taking on the front end in the market given how unexposed every runner is. Blues Singer looked classy on debut at Kempton in March and ran a cracker after a break at this track last month when beaten in a photo finish under a penalty. That looked a good effort and he can step up on that here in a bigger field. Tennessee Tango is a big strapping sort who defeated a well punted favourite at Wincanton back in October. He's not been seen since and has maybe been aimed at this race. He looks potentially smart.