ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Each-Way Double for Ascot

In the Howden Handicap Chase, HARPER’S BROOK (best price 11/2) should fare a lot better than when down the field in the Paddy Power Gold Cup on his return last month. Ben Pauling has always thought quite a lot of him, and a mark of 133 is within his compass.

He practically threw the race away at Sandown in his penultimate start, where he travelled well, as he often does, in which he was three lengths clear after the last fence until he idled badly on the run-in and only just held onto second.

The form has worked out well, plus the drop-in trip should massively suit. The seven-year-old has his quirks, but he should be suited to the pace of this race, and if he puts his mind to the job, he should be extremely competitive.

There are plenty to consider in this race, but the progressive BLACKJACK MAGIC (best price 9/2) enhanced his fine strike rate when making it three wins from five starts in the Badger Beer at Wincanton and is fancied to go in again here.

He jumped exceptionally well and beat the likes of Threeunderthrufive and Frodon very comfortably. Just on that form, he remains well handicapped off a 6Ib higher mark, and this course should play to his strengths.

That latest form is the best on offer, and he is Anthony Honeyball’s only runner on the card. With plenty more to come, the eight-year-old’s positive and attacking style of racing should make him difficult to beat. I like his chances.

Extra Ascot Tips

A classy renewal of the Betfair Exchange Trophy, and I think the odds about LUCCIA (best price 9/1) are indeed appealing.

Nicky Henderson has three representatives in the race, but this mare ran a great race when third in the Greatwood Hurdle on handicap debut under a big weight and is taken to up her game again on a course that should see her to even better effect.

She is a smooth operator of a hurdle and travels well in her races. Since winning her first couple of starts over hurdles, she has acquitted herself very well in defeat in some stiff tasks, including in Grade 2 and Grade 1 races at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals.

The handicapper has surprisingly left her mark unchanged from last time, and she’s already finished in front of a few of these in her previous runs. With firms paying four places generally, I’m confident she has the attributes to go very close with Paul O’Brien booked to ride.

Gary Moore’s HANSARD (best price 7/1) contributed to a memorable ITV Double a few weeks ago, and it would be foolish to ignore his claims in this contest.

After running really well when second to Rubaud in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle on his return, he defied a big weight to take a hot Newbury handicap three weeks ago under this rider.

This five-year-old is a very good horse and has more to come. A 4Ib rise seems really lenient on the balance of that display last time, and therefore another bold bid looks firmly on the cards.