Diamond Harry 8/1 For Gold Cup After Hennessy Gold Cup Win

Harry 8/1 for Gold Cup after Diamond performance at Newbury

Diamond Harry has been given a quote of 8/1 for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup by the sponsors after producing an impressive performance in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury this afternoon.

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Diamond Harry Wins Hennessy Gold Cup

Nick Williams’ gelding travelled supremely well under Daryl Jacobs and fought hard to repel the late challenge of Burton Port who is now a 12/1 shot (from 25/1) for Cheltenham. Denman couldn’t manage to concede two stone to his rivals but still put up an admirable effort in third and remains 10/1 to win his second Gold Cup.

‘Diamond Harry’s Hennessy performance puts him bang in the reckoning for this season’s Gold Cup though Denman’s connections will be delighted with his run and will fancy their chances of taking on the winner at level weights,’ said totesport spokesman George Primarolo.

Earlier on the card, Peddlers Cross continued his rise up the hurdling ranks with a smooth victory in the rearranged Fighting Fifth and is now a 6/1 shot (from 12/1) with totesport for the Champion Hurdle. Runner-up Starluck has been cut to 20/1 (from 33/1) whilst Binocular has been eased at the head of the market to 7/2 (from 11/4).

Big Buck’s showed himself to be as good as ever when winning the Long Distance Hurdle and has consolidated his position at the head of the market for the World Hurdle. totesport now make the reigning champion the 4/6 favourite (from 4/5).

William Hill King George VI Chase – totesport bet: Evs Kauto Star, 11/2 Long Run, 6 Imperial Commander, 10 Forpadydeplasterer, Nacarat, 12 (from 25) Burton Port, 14 Sizing Europe, 16 Punchestowns, Riverside Theatre, What A Friend, 20 Albertas Run, Planet Of Sound, The Nightingale, 25 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – totesport bet: 11/4 Cue Card, 12 Toubab, Zaidpour, 14 Hidden Universe, Megastar, 16 Dare Me, 20 Kid Cassidy, Bobs Worth, 25 Elegant Concorde, Sprinter Sacre, 33 Dunraven Storm, Shot From The Hip.

¼ 1-2-3

Irish Independent Arkle Trophy – totesport bet: 8 Ghizao, 10 Finian’s Rainbow, 12 Medermit, 14 Royal Charm, 16 Captain Chris, Get Me Out Of Here, Noble Prince, Surfing, 20 Kilmurry, Loosen My Load, Oscar Whisky, Spirit River, 25 Quwetwo, 33 Bellvano, Vino Griego.

¼ 1-2-3

Stan James Champion Hurdle – totesport bet: 7/2 Binocular, 5 Hurricane Fly, 6 (from 12) Peddlers Cross, 7 Menorah, 8 Khyber Kim, 10 Silviniaco Conti, 12 Solwhit, 14 Cue Card, 16 Dunguib, Go Native, Overturn, 20 Get Me Out Of Here, Quevega, Sanctuaire, Soldatino, 25 Blackstairmountain, 33 bar.

¼ 1-2-3

Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle – totesport bet: 10 Al Ferof, Zaidpour, 14 Megastar, 16 Dare Me, Last Instalment, 20 Frawley, Minella Class, 25 Bishopsfurze, Dunraven Storm.

¼ 1-2-3

RSA Chase – totesport bet: 6 Time For Rupert, 8 Mikael d’Haguenet, 12 Quel Esprit, Reve de Sivola, Tell Massini, Wayward Prince, 16 Aiteenthirtythree, Chicago Grey, Fionnegas, Wymott, 20 Sang Bleu, 25 Loosen My Load, Peveril, Spirit River, Wishful Thinking, 33 Alfie Sherrin.

¼ 1-2-3

Queen Mother Champion Chase – totesport bet: 11/4 Big Zeb, 3 Master Minded, 8 Tataniano, 9 Captain Cee Bee, Sizing Europe, 10 Golden Silver, 12 Forpadydeplaster, 14 Gauvain, 20 Kalahari King, Somersby, 25 Osana, Riverside Theatre.

¼ 1-2-3

Ladbrokes World Hurdle – totesport bet: 4/6 (from 4/5) Big Buck’s, 8 Long Run, Quevega, Zaynar, 14 Time For Rupert, 16 Karabak, Bensalem, 20 Quel Esprit, 25 Mourad, Tell Massini.

¼ 1-2-3

JCB Triumph Hurdle – totesport bet: 9/2 Sam Winner, 12 Smad Place, 16 A Media Luz, 20 Bob Le Beau, 25 Donatulo, Empire Levant, Grandouet, 33 Architrave, Balerina, Captains Dilemma, Maoi Chinn Tire, Pantxoa, Pepite Rose, Titan De Sarti.

¼ 1-2-3

totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup – sponsors bet: 7/2 Imperial Commander, 9/2 Kauto Star, 8 Diamond Harry, 10 Denman, 12 (from 25) Burton Port, 16 Long Run, 20 Cooldine, Neptune Collonges, Punchestowns, Sizing Europe, What A Friend, 25 Tidal Bay, Mikael d’Haguenet, 33 Pandorama, Planet Of Sound, The Nightingale.

¼ 1-2-3

John Smith’s Grand National – totesport bet: 14 Denman, 20 (from 25) Niche Market, Hello Bud, Big Fella Thanks, Black Apalachi, Don’t Push It, Merigo, 25 Bluesea Cracker, State Of Play, 33 Arbor Supreme, Backstage, Ballabriggs, 40 Character Building, Maljimar, Mon Mome, The Package, Tricky Trickster.

¼ 1-2-3-4

Saturday at Newbury In Pictures

What a great day at Newbury, here are some great images from a top day of racing….

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Diamond Harry wins agains over fences

Timmy Murphy aboard Diamond Harry.

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Diamond Harry pulls away

We saw a lovely horse called Alfie Sherrin trained by Paul Nicholls

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Alfie Sherrin

Denman went off 1-6 but Disaster struck for Tony McCoy

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Tony McCoy on Denman, now to the Cheltenham Gold Cup

Then Europe’s richest handicap hurdle

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Get Me Out Of Here wins for Tony McCoy

Is Tricky Trickster now heading to the grand National?

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Tricky Trickster

Master Minded was back to his best despite a blunder at the last fence under Ruby Walsh

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Master Minded and Ruby Walsh

How did he stay on?

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How did Ruby Walsh say on Master Minded?

What a great day of horseracing!

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Denman now heads to the Gold Cup

Super Saturday Horseracing Tips, 13 February

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By Carl Harris

Its a Super Saturday with the highlight being the Newbury card which is choc full of quality and intrigue. The obvious double today is Denman and Master Minded, you can’t get bigger than those two, possibly only by adding Kauto Star. It promises to be a great day.

The big betting race of the day is The Totesport Trophy which is a competitive betting heat, to say the least and we have another chance to see Diamond Harry over fences before he heads to Cheltenham. I am really looking forward to Saturday at Newbury and also at Warwick.

1:30 Newbury, Diamond Harry- Win. Not much of a price today but I am interested here with Cheltenham in mind. Some say that Diamond Harry was a fortunate winner on his chase debut, but it was not his fault the others all fell with Harry travelling easily. He would have won either way but we didn’t learn much. He faces better horses here, but should still have a stone in hand and if a serious Cheltenham player you would look for him to win on the steel. If the layers take him on, offering backers value, then I for one will be on. You choose what you think value looks like, but I see only one winner here, Diamond Harry.

Alan King takes him on with Bensalem and the trainer writes on his website:

“Bensalem might not have beaten Diamond Harry at Haydock, but he would have been a good second and the longer trip will definitely help our cause. He took a nasty fall at Haydock, but when we gave him his first school he was straight into it, so clearly it had no ill effects.”

Personally I read that as we will have a go, but I don’t expect to beat him. Diamond Harry could be a very high class chaser who should come on from that debut and win here.

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Diamond Harry runs again over fences on Saturday

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2:30 Newbury (Aon Chase), Denman- Win. Denman will be very short, he will win and win well. Tony McCoy takes the ride to get to know ‘The Tank’ ahead of partnering him at Cheltenham in The Gold Cup on March 19. He showed in the Hennessey that he is back to his best and at his best he should win this hard held. Its more interesting than a serious betting event, anything but a Denman win would be a disaster. On official ratings he has over 2 stones in hand.

Paul Nicholls told the press; “The form he was in at the Hennessy, we could quite easily have run him fresh (in the Gold Cup) without a run but he’s a little more stuffy than Kauto Star and it just fits in with his preparation.

What the Champion Trainer is eluding to is that this race now shapes up as nothing more than an exercise gallop, which is exactly how much effort it will take to win this readily, giving McCoy a chance to get to know the horse. This is a ‘gimmie’ for connections, as big Ron would say.

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Denman next stop Cheltenham Gold Cup

I will be having a treble on the above two and the dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded, who is back after a break to recover from a stress fracture. He should win the Game Spirit Chase.

3:40 Newbury, Master Minded- Win. There are some who think Master Minded was beaten last time because he is past his best. The simple fact is he was found to have a stress fracture which caused him to run poorly. He is said to have recovered and should run much better. A win here will see him shorten up for the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.  Paul Nicholls seems quietly confident ahead of this run, where he meets Voy Por Ustedes. He says;

“I have been very impressed with him since he came back into work, he looks fabulous and when he won the Champion Chase two years ago his run before was in the Game Spirit, so it fits in nicely.”

I have backed Master Minded for the Champion Chase because of the positive noises I heard last week from connections. Closer to the race you tend to find caution kicks in, but I get the feeling that connections fully expect Master Minded to win. I hope I have read that right. He is as good a two miler as I have ever seen and for the last leg of the terrible there are few other horses I would rather rely on than Master Minded. Ruby Walsh rides, no way would he let McCoy take this ride!

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Master Minded on the way to the Champion Chase

The Totesport Trophy..Take 10/1 Get Me Out Of Here

3:05 Newbury, Get Me Out Of Here, Win and Place. I have already put my views forward my views about Get Me Out Of Here for the feature betting handicap of Saturday’s card. You can read those comments in full but regular readers will be in no doubt why this one is being nominated. We were on last time, when I actually said the horse should have a mark of 135, which he now has. He was not tested at all and I think he has plenty of scope and ability. As an each-way proposition at 10/1 I think this is a cracker of a bet. I would be amazed if McCoy was not in the frame at the very least here.

This is one of the best double digit bets I have seen for quite some time.

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Take McCoy on Get Me Out Of Here at 10/1

2:15 Warwick- Long Run- Win. At Warwick we get another look at Nicky Henderson’s Arkle Trophy hopeful, Long Run who should win before going to Cheltenham. At adjusted weights he probably has a stone in hand and therefore is fully expected to win. Again not a great price but this is another race with relevance beyond today. Sam Waley-Cohen is a decent amateur, the owners son, who will be on at Cheltenham. I have no worries about the jockey, certainly not here but if it came to a tight finish up the Cheltenham hill with McCoy, Walsh or Johnson then that may be a different scenario. Long Run for me to win here, readily.

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On the all-weather…

7:20 Wolverhampton, Tiger Hawk- Win. He must be the bet of the day on the level. A good winner on Thursday this is such a poor race that he surely must win. If we have had a good day over jumps a sneaky bet on this one should pay for the Valentines card at the very least!

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Free Horseracing Tips, from Carl Harris for Saturday 13 Feb:

A Treble

  • 1:30 Newbury, Diamond Harry- Win
  • 2:30 Newbury (Aon Chase), Denman- Win
  • 3:40 Newbury, Master Minded- Win

Each Way

  • 3:05 Newbury, Get Me Out Of Here, Win and Place.

Others

  • 2:15 Warwick- Long Run- Win
  • 7:20 Wolverhampton, Tiger Hawk- Win

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The Racing Diary Saturday Podcast:

Saturdays Horseracing Tips, 23 January

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By Carl Harris

The big race of the day is at Ascot and it is fantastic to have top class racing back on the agenda on a Saturday. Haydock also stages a quality card and as long as the weather plays its part we should have a great day of National Hunt racing.

This is what we were waiting for whilst sat at home watching DVD’s during the big freeze. Let’s see if we can make some money today. Here are my best bets for Saturday 23 January.

2:20 Haydock, Diamond Harry- Win. A very decent hurdler Diamond Harry will put his jumping to the test over fences. Timmy Murphy has been routed to Ascot for the ride on Well Chief so he will now be ridden by Barry Geraghty. He will not be a great price but should win and enter the Cheltenham Festival Picture.

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Diamond Harry debuts over fences on Saturday

It will not be a walk-over for Diamond Harry. Knockara Beau is a decent sort who has jumping experience in his favour but Diamond Harry has bags of class and could be top class in my view.


2:40 Ascot (VC Chase), Twist Magic- Win. Though this is an eight runner contest it really only concerns the bottom three, Petit Robin, Well Chief and Twist Magic. Paul Nicholls won this last season with Master Minded but could do it again with able deputy Twist Magic. At Sandown last time out he made a nonsense of a grade one field in the Tingle Creek. With a rating of 173 he is the best horse in the race but if he is in the sort of form we saw at Sandown he will take some stopping. The danger is the Nicky Henderson trained and now Tony McCoy ridden Petit Robin who won the Dessert Orchid Chase at Kempton last time out. The winner will come from these two and it looks a very good reverse forecast but I think Twist magic has got better, is clearly right and can justify top rating under Ruby Walsh. McCoy v Walsh, Henderson v Nicholls, it doesn’t get much better than this. Twist Magic for me.

Here is what Paul Nicholls has to say ahead of the VC Chase on Saturday;

Twist Magic is fine and I am very happy with him. He was beaten in the race two years ago, which is a slight concern. He looked a certainty and got beat, but he also ran a shocker in the Champion Chase that year. He seems in good form and I think he put in a personal best when he was third at Exeter (in the Haldon Gold Cup under top weight on his seasonal reappearance). He also won well the last day, but Ascot and Sandown are different tracks. You can freewheel around Sandown, but it is a stiff climb from Swinley Bottom to the line at Ascot. He appears in good form and looked a lot happier at Sandown. I hope he has turned a corner and he does seem happier in himself these days.”

2:55 Haydock, Punjabi, Win. I am not advocating backing Punjabi if you do not like short prices but this is important in the context of the Champion Hurdle. Of course he is the current Champion Hurdler and seemed to blow up last time out but did travel well. He will need to put in a better performance today and should win this easily if he is at full fitness. Anything but a win here would be a major shock.

Carl Harris’ Best bets for Saturday 23 January

  • 2:20 Haydock, Diamond Harry- Win
  • 2:40 Ascot (VC Chase), Twist Magic- Win
  • 2:55 Haydock, Punjabi, Win

Fridays Horseracing Tips, 22 January

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By Carl Harris

After losing Newbury and Ludlow we now lose Chepstow on Friday. The big cards on Saturday at Ascot and Haydock should go ahead as scheduled.

Twist Magic faces seven rivals as he bids for back-to-back Grade One successes in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot on Saturday, a top class race that I am very much looking forward to.

Diamond Harry will make his chasing debut on Saturday, already quoted at 10-1 for Cheltenham glory before he has ever jumped a fence in public, surely we cannot be robbed once again of a top class Saturday.

Friday is pretty moderate, Catterick over jumps and all-weather action at Lingfield and Wolverhampton. As I have said before I am focusing on the jumps, so not a great deal to go at today. Certainly if you look at the first race at Catterick it is enough to put you off jumps racing for life.

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Diamond Harry debuts over fences on Saturday

Here are my best bets of the day on Friday;

1:50 Catterick, Percussionist- Win. Howard Johnson clearly has his horses fit, despite the recent cold spell, as we saw at Newcastle on Wednesday.A top class flat performer he has done well over jumps and is indeed looking for a hat-trick after wins at Hexham at Kelso. I would suggest that he is a good bet to win here for a trainer and jockey who are in good form.

2:55 Catterick, Tilt- Win. Tilt was a very good winner first time out over this course and steps up in trip as he bids to follow-up. On the flat he looked to have had enough but jumping looked to have given him a new lease of life. The step up in trip should suit him and with class to burn he would be my idea of the best bet of the day. I would worry about the Howard Johnson trained Milans Man who won well at Sedgefield but I think Tilt will be too good for these.

Carl Harris’ Best Bets for Friday 22 January

  • 1:50 Catterick, Percussionist- Win
  • 2:55 Catterick, Tilt- Win

Tuesdays Horseracing Tips, 29 December

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By Carl Harris

Another day and the racing is pretty good, in fact it is very good. The highlight is the rescheduled Long Walk Hurdle and we get to see the Diamond Harry v Big Bucks Clash at Newbury instead of Ascot.



More bad weather is on the way, please God don’t take away Cheltenham on New Year’s Day!

12:00 Newbury; Daves Dream- Win. A good race kicks off a good day at Newbury where the big guns of Nicky Henderson take a shot at Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls. Take the Breeze has won twice over fences and will as a result have to give weight to Dave’s Dream. I think Dave’s Dream will prove to be a decent chaser and should win here for the Henderson team. The market will be interesting.

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Big Bucks can show his class in Long Walk Hurdle

14:40 Newbury, Bgc Long Walk Hurdle, Big Bucks- Win. I love Diamond Harry but when it came down to it at Cheltenham last year he was just found a bit short. That said he may have improved but faces a mountain to overcome Big Bucks on level weights. Paul Nicholls summed this up very well on TV the other day. “We know Big Buck’s is the best staying hurdler around and if Diamon Harry beats him it is becuase he is better”. That is the bottom line and the official ratings say that Diamond Harry will need to improve eleven pounds to beat the World Hurdle Winner. As much as I would love to see Harry win, Big Buck’s is genuine class and should prove it today. Diamond Harry to chase him home is not a bad forecast. If the prices are right I will back Diamond Harry for a place. Big Bucks will be no price, but will win in my view!

15:15 Newbury, Khachaturian- Win. I think Khachaturian is on a decent mark, following his latest win at Kempton by 10 lengths in a beginners chase. The McCain stable are in good fettle and certainly I think we may manage to back a well handicapped horse in this competitive 15 runner handicap. We should get a decent price and hopefully make the layers pay.

Carl Harris’ Best Bets for Tuesday 29 December

  • 12:00 Newbury; Daves Dream- Win
  • 14:40 Newbury, Bgc Long Walk Hurdle, Big Bucks- Win
  • 15:15 Newbury, Khachaturian- Win

Saturdays Lay Betting Tips, 19 December

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2:05 Ascot- Diamond Harry

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Saturdays Horseracing Tips, 19 December

By Carl Harris

By Carl Harris

There will be many punters chasing the Christmas money on Saturday with the card at Ascot presenting a minefield of opportunities.

The clash of the day was the Long Walk Hurdle where Big Buck’s and Diamond Harry were to square up to see who is the best staying hurdler. In the red corner is the undisputed champion from the Paul Nicholls camp and in the blue corner the young pretender, Diamond Harry, who has looked highly impressive. Sadly the weather has taken the Ascot card, leaving a depressing day of racing. I will not get heavily involved today.

Here are my best bets for Saturday.

14:30 Lingfield, Tranquil Tiger- Win. With no Ascot and weather chaos all over the place I have one bet for you on the all-weather at Lingfield.  Tranquil Tiger won a listen contest last time over course and distance and should serve up another win for Henry Cecil and Tom Queally. He is the class act on show and hopefully will provide some profit on an otherwise depressing cold winters day.

One bet for Saturday 19 December

  • 14:30 Lingfield, Tranquil Tiger- Win

Ascot is now off. Here is what I was going to suggest at Ascot;

14:05 Ascot, Bgc Long Walk Hurdle, Big Bucks- Win. I love Diamond Harry but when it came down to it at Cheltenham last year he was just found a bit short. That said he may have improved but faces a mountain to overcome Big Bucks on level weights. Paul Nicholls summed this up very well on TV the other day. “We know Big Buck’s is the best staying hurdler around and if Diamon Harry beats him it is becuase he is better”. That is the bottom line and the official ratings say that Diamond Harry will need to improve eleven pounds to beat the World Hurdle Winner. As much as I would love to see Harry win, Big Buck’s is genuine class and should prove it today. Diamond Harry to chase him home is not a bad forecast. If the prices are right I will back Diamond Harry for a place.

McCoy rides for Jonjo O'Neil on Get Me Out Of Here

McCoy rides for Jonjo O'Neil on Get Me Out Of Here

14:40 Ascot, Ladbroke Hurdle, Get Me Out Of Here- Win and Place. Another hot pot from the Paul Nicholls camp will start as favourite, Pepe Simo is a decent horse too. Regular readers will know that I have been a hug advocate of Get Me Out Of Here since he won his bumper so impressively in May. At Newbury I thought he was very well treated on a mark of 123. I said he was a 135 horse and I take some satisfaction in seeing his mark now raised to 135. I have said all along that he is a very good horse and today he gets the chance to show just that with Tony McCoy aboard. We will get another good price, a win and place bet at excellent value. I think he has a serious chance of winning and has been underestimated once again in the market. A win and place bet is my best of the day. If this comes in it will be a Merry Christmas.


Carl Harris’ Best Bets for Saturday 19 December

  • 14:05 Ascot, Bgc Long Walk Hurdle, Big Bucks- Win
  • 14:40 Ascot, Ladbroke Hurdle, Get Me Out Of Here- Win and Place

Big Saturday Clash is On!

All 11 entries for the BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday have stood their ground at the 48-hour declaration stage with Big Buck’s and Diamond Harry set for a mouthwatering clash.

Big Buck's v Diamond Harry on Saturday

Big Buck's v Diamond Harry on Saturday

Last season’s World Hurdle hero Big Buck’s made an effortless return to action in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, winning the Grade Two contest hard on the bridle.

If he does triumph at the weekend, it will be the fifth successive Saturday that the feature prize has gone to his trainer Paul Nicholls, following on from the victories of Kauto Star, Denman, Twist Magic and Poquelin. Grade One-winning novice Diamond Harry also made an impressive comeback as he defied top-weight in a competitive handicap at Haydock.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Pepe Simo heads a maximum field of 21 runners in the Ladbroke at Ascot on Saturday.

The five-year-old has enjoyed a productive start to the campaign having already registered three successes over timber, but that has earned him top-weight in the fiercely competitive handicap.

Big Buck’s Odds On to Beat Diamond Harry

Big Buck’s and Diamond Harry look set for an enthralling clash after featuring among 11 confirmations for the BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday.

Picture
Big Buck’s – set to clash with Diamond Harry.

Last season’s World Hurdle hero Big Buck’s made an effortless return to action in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, winning the Grade Two contest hard on the bridle.

Grade One-winning novice Diamond Harry also made an impressive comeback as he defied top-weight in Haydock’s Timeform Betfair Racing Club “Fixed Brush” Handicap Hurdle, tempting connections to stay over timber rather than go over the larger obstacles.

Paddy Power has installed Big Buck’s, described last week by one former winning trainer of the Long Walk Hurdle as “probably the best staying hurdler that we have seen in the last 20 years”, as 4-7 favourite for Saturday’s BGC Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

Long Walk Hurdle: 4-7 Big Buck’s, 11-4 Diamond Harry, 12 Karabak, 16 Fair Along, Katchit, Lough Derg, Sentry Duty, Whiteoak, 33 Kayf Aramis, 66 Sweetheart, Viper