London Gold Cup at Ascot

The Jumps Season has taken over from the turf flat for sure. Just the November Handicap left next weekend and the flat goes international. The Melbourne cup takes place on Tuesday while the Breeders Cup in on next weekend.

It's exciting to see the stars of the jumps game return and on safe ground too following plenty of rain this week. Gold Cup winner Minella Indo runs at Down Royal as well as Envoi Allen who is on the comeback trail following an operation to remove a chip in his knee. We head to Ascot for the London Gold Cup where surely course expert Regal Encore is too old to win aged 13!

A cracking handicap chase with 14 going to post. Johnbb should enjoy a big season with little mileage on the clock. He raced just the three times over fences last season winning at Wetherby and then coming back from a fall to take second place behind Happygolucky at the Aintree festival. That race was his first run over an extended trip at Aintree and he got the 3m1f trip no problem in a very good handicap chase. The handicapper has raised Johnbb 3lbs to 140 which is less than I expected. Tom Lacey’s charge has scope to progress on his seventh start over fences. He carries 10-8 and can make that lightweight count against his more exposed rivals.

Ascot - 3:20

1 Point Each Way Johnbb 15/2 Betfair SB paying 5 places else 15/2 Paddy Power & Betvictor, both paying 4 places.

Compare Odds at https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-racing/2021-10-30-ascot/15:20/winner