Steve Ryder is back with three selections for today's racing.
14:55 Ascot
Paul Nicholls has won this Grade 2 contest three times in recent years with Ptit Zig, Le Mercurey and Politologue and he should hold strong claims of winning it again this year with PIC D'ORHY (best priced at 11-10). The six-year-old had a slightly disappointing season last year but looked a different horse when winning on his reappearance at Ffos Las in October putting in an impressive round of jumping.
Pic D’Orhy looked set to win the Grade 2 Berskhire Novices’ Chase at Newbury last time but fell 4 out when appearing to have his rivals in trouble and he should be able to win this race that he finished 4th in last season.
16:30 Dundalk
The Gavin Cromwell trained TOGETHER ACLAIM (best priced at 11-8) has progressed with each of his three starts so far in his career and he should prove hard to beat if repeating the form of his previous run over this course and distance. The son of Aclaim ran with credit in a Leopardstown maiden in October before finishing second over a mile here when beaten only ½ length by Lesson Learned.
Together Aclaim looked set to get off the mark over this course and distance 23 days ago when dropped back to 7f for the first time but he was just run down by Doitforandrew on the line. That rival has since boosted the form with a 5 ½ length victory over this course and distance on his next start so Together Aclaim should prove hard to beat if in the same form.
19:45 Kempton
COOLAGH MAGIC (best priced at 9-2) lost all chance of winning at Wolverhampton when he reared in the stalls but ran well to finish 5th and he should run well if getting away on terms in this race. The five-year-old won on his stable debut for Robyn Brisland following 316 days off the track at Lingfield when well supported into 15/8 favourite.
The gelding is only rated 3lb higher for that victory off a mark of 57 but he remains well handicapped on old form as he had previously been rated as high as 81 in 2019 when trained by Richard Fahey. With four places available with the majority of bookmakers, Coolagh Magic looks a good each way selection in this race.
