Ascot afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Friday, December 22

First up we have details on the horses who have caught our attention at Ascot, as well as a full list of selections at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

13:20 (Ascot) Welcom To Cartries

Some promising big-money buys will go to post in the Howden Maiden Hurdle but Welcom To Cartries has the best form in the book and will take some stopping.

Last December’s impressive Irish point-to-point winner started out under rules by going down narrowly to Beat The Bat after a ding-dong battle up the home straight at this course.

That pair pulled 15 lengths clear of the third and the winner went on to be a rock-solid second to Dysart Enos at Cheltenham next time out.

 

13:55 (Ascot) Homme Public

Homme Public has taken well to jumping fences and can defy top weight in the Howden Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Although fortunate to win an Arkle trial at Cheltenham following the departure of JPR One, that was still a commendable effort, while a previous Wetherby victory over Geromino has worked out well.

 

14:30 (Ascot) Poncho

Poncho has taken a tumble in his last couple of races but Gary Moore’s five-year-old can hopefully get back on track in the WB Wealth Handicap Hurdle.

The son of Motivator produced two nice performances as a novice last term and looks the type to enjoy lying handy and quickening up off a strong pace, which he should get here.

 

15:05 (Ascot) Might I

Might I offers the most appeal from a small but select field for the Grade Two Howden Noel Novices’ Chase.

Harry Fry’s charge was a smart novice hurdler a couple of seasons ago, beating Thunder Rock by 11 lengths at Newton Abbot before actually being sent off favourite against Constitution Hill at Sandown.

He obviously had to settle for second best that day but went on to also be placed behind Jonbon at Haydock and in Grade One company at Aintree.

The seven-year-old’s second term over timber was a bit of a stop-start affair punctuated by minor setbacks, but closing with a fine fourth of 21 to Iroko at the Cheltenham Festival marked him down as a hot prospect again for when put over fences.

Might I paid the price for some sloppy jumping when second to Complete Unknown on his chasing debut at Newton Abbot but enjoyed a confidence-boosting victory in an Exeter match after his sole opponent was pulled up.

Fry has admitted the gelding will need to be more fluent over fences if he is to fulfil his potential, but this is a good chance to show just how far he can go.

Paddy Power Gold Cup fifth Unexpected Party is coming off a couple of hard races in relatively quick succession, while recent winners Djelo and Kandoo Kid have a bit to find on hurdles ratings.

 

15:40 (Ascot) Let It Rain

Ascot’s action finishes off with a red-hot bumper packed full of previous winners and Let It Rain may take advantage of a 7lb allowance given out to fillies and mares in the Thames Materials Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Dan Skelton’s charge justified some strong support when powering home by eight lengths on her racecourse bow at Warwick and has plenty of scope for improvement.

 

Ascot selections in full:

ASCOT: 12.45 Immortal Fame, 1.20 Welcom To Cartries, 1.55 Homme Public, 2.30 Poncho, 3.05 Might I, 3.40 Let It Rain.