Ascot best bets (1535): Impose Toi looking to upset well-backed stablemates
Skytastic headlines Ascot double for Thomas and Deutsch
The final race before the festive break sees ten capable hurdlers line up for what should be a thrilling finale as they compete for the biggest prize on Ascot’s Christmas card.
15:35 Ascot: Betfair Exchange Trophy (Premier Handicap Hurdle) (2 miles)
Iberico Lord and Altobelli appear to be the stand-out prospects on recent performances, and their quality is reflected in their well-backed short odds at the top of the betting market.
Arguably of better value at their prices are the Willie Mullins-trained Onlyamatteroftime (albeit with the caveat that he has run out on both of his last two appearances) and Nicky Henderson’s Luccia, who won her first four outings and has yet to finish outside the places in a further four runs.
Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Luccia finishes in the first 3 places, get a £5 Free Bet
Alongside Iberico Lord and Luccia, Henderson also brings Impose Toi, who might appear to be third-string against his stablemates, but brings impressive 1121211 figures to the starting line.
This French raider landed two bumpers on his home turf, but has hardly looked back since finishing runner-up of 15 on his hurdling debut at Ludlow in January, and indeed only two of 42 rivals have finished ahead of Impose Toi in five attempts over obstacles.
Nico de Boinville has ridden this five-year-old on each of his last four outings, winning three of them, including a comfortable success to land the odds in a 17-runner novices’ handicap on season debut at Cheltenham five weeks ago.
De Boinville has opted for Iberico Lord here, which might appear significant, but replacement Jonjo O’Neill could well prove the beneficiary of that decision, and having guided two 9/1 shots into the winner’s enclosure from his last four rides over the last few days, Jonjo won’t mind riding the apparent underdog here.
- Suggested bet: Impose Toi each-way in the 15:35 at Ascot
- Tip advised by Each Way Target Tips on Tipstrr
As a final aside, it’s worth pointing out that it is only three outings since Faivoir landed the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and while he has disappointed a couple of times since, he showed a glimpse of that form when second over this course and distance a month ago.
The Skelton yard has a habit of producing the goods in top-level two-mile handicap hurdles, and with four places widely available, this proven eight-year-old looks overpriced at his current 20/1 mark..
- Each-way-punt: Faivoir each-way in the 15:35 at Ascot
READ MORE: Harry Cobden’s Planet Sport Bet blog previews his Ascot rides
