William Buick to steer mac home at Ascot
It's a sporting mecca weekend with the Rugby Union World Cup, Euro Qualifiers, Irish Open in Golf, Irish champions weekend in horse racing as well as the US open in Tennis! What a weekend of sporting action and hopefully, I can help you cover the cost of a few beers or bottle of wine with my two tips for the 7f handicap at Ascot this afternoon.
Spangled Mac won well over 7f at Newbury recently. He beat popmaster and was well on top as they crossed the finishing line. That was an improved performance from Spangled Mac in first time pieces. The headgear remains in place for this valuable handicap where the stiffer 7 furlongs if another positive. Spangled Mac is up 3lbs in the ratings which is fair from the handicapper. He runs well at Ascot and ran a cracker here at the Royal Meeting when fourth behind “Witch Hunter” in the Buckingham palace stakes handicap. William Buick retains the ride following his improved run last time out.
Top Secret is too big to ignore having won this race two seasons ago off a 4lb lower mark. He runs well on the straight course at Ascot with two wins from four runs. We forgive his latest run when forced to run too hard on the front end as these days he is best coming from behind. That latest run was over 7f at Newbury and this stiffer seven furlongs will suit Top Secret better. The handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds and I liked the way he stayed on after some trouble in running when 8th but not beaten far at Newbury back in July. Popmaster finished second that day and Top Secret meets him on 7lbs better terms here.
There is Group 1 action at Leopardstown and Haydock as well as competitive racing at Ascot & Kempton. Then on Sunday we have top class racing again at the Curragh on the final day of Irish Champions weekend.
Ascot 2:35
0.5 point each way Spangled Mac 8/1 Bet365 else 7/1 generally, 4 places.
0.5 point each way Top Secret 30/1 Bet365 else 25/1 Skybet, both 5 places.
Best of Luck, Nicky