4/1 Anquetta of major interest
Nicky Henderson has his team in terrific shape and his Anquetta is of major interest at 4/1 in the 3.20 at Ascot today.
The seven-year-old developed into a useful chaser last season, winning twice before finishing a highly creditable sixth of 23 to Oiseau de Nuit in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival.
He did disappoint on his final start when returned to Prestbury Park, but looked better than ever on his seasonal reappearance when bolting up over course and distance by five lengths.
The gelding made a couple of errors that day but they did not stop him and he won with plenty of authority in the manner of a handicapper to keep on the right side.
The assessor has had his say and put him up 8lb to a mark of 138, but to my eyes he was value for more than that and given that he is still relatively lightly raced there is every possibility of further improvement to come.
I had him priced up at around the 3/1 mark for this, so the 4/1 on offer looks huge and should be snapped up.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win Anquetta (4/1 Boylesports, Hills, Paddy Power – BOG)
8/1 Kalahari ready to be King
All eyes will be on Master Minded in the Amlin Chase at Ascot today (2.10) but Paul Nicholls’ star has to give weight all round and Kalahari King looks value at 8/1 to lower his colours.
Ferdy Murphy’s charge is top notch on his day and ran a stormer when runner-up to Albertas Run in the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival back in March.
He was then clearly not right when pulled up behind Master Minded at Aintree, and looked badly in need of the run when a well beaten 5th of 7 to Stagecoach Pearl at Kelso on his seasonal reappearance.
However his shrewd handler has proved time and time again that his horses improve significantly for the outing and are trained with big races like this in mind.
It’s also interesting that Murhpy is fitting Kalahari King with a tongue tie for the first time this afternoon, and if that has the desired effect and he is back to the form he showed in the Ryanair he must go close in receipt of 10lb from Master Minded.
At 8/1 he looks overpriced and looks terrific value.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts win Kalahari King (8/1 Betfred, Boylesports, Paddy Power – BOG)
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