Ascot each-way racing tip: Havaila can hit the ground running on stable debut
Tritonic was a winner at Ascot last Saturday
The tastiest-looking morsel on Ascot’s Friday menu sees 14 runners go to post for what promises to be a highly competitive handicap for these short-distance hurdlers.
14:30 Ascot: WB Wealth Handicap Hurdle (1 mile 7 furlongs 152 yards)
The early-morning withdrawal of the well-backed Jagwar has nudged the rest of the field up a notch and has also levelled the playing field a little for some of the less-fancied runners.
Of the remaining market principals, Immortal and Bad look destined for a tussle for the favourite tag, while Toonagh Warrior and King William Rufus both have realistic claims in this company.
Despite the reduced field, four places are still widely available (five in some quarters), which has produced a flurry of activity among Tipstrr’s each-way specialists, with the promising youngster Havaila the most popular pick to challenge the market leaders.
Planet Sport Bet: Bet £20+ cash on any runner in the race and if Havaila finishes in the first 4 places, get a £5 Free Bet
Recently acquired by the Anthony Charlton yard from Milton Harris, the new trainer will be hoping this four-year-old can hit the ground running on his first run over obstacles since winning a weak two-runner affair at Fakenham in April.
While that maiden success is little to get excited about, Havaila has kept himself busy since then with four Flat outings, so he should be reasonably race-fit despite his extended absence from the jumps circuit.
Before that win at Fakenham, his previous outing was in a much more competitive juvenile hurdle over this course and distance, which perhaps gives a better indication of his prospects here.
Under Sam Twiston-Davies (who is notably rebooked for this outing) Havaila finished strongly to leave 10 of his 12 rivals in his wake, and only a nose behind the highly-regarded runner-up Afadil, who went on to win impressively at Ayr next time out.
That form is advertised further by the impressive progress of the winner Blueking D’Oroux, who finished just a couple of lengths ahead of Havaila in April, and who has kickstarted this season with impressive wins at Cheltenham and here at Ascot a month ago.
Another horse’s progress is no guarantee that our runner will follow a similar upward path, of course, but if Twiston-Davies can coax anything like a similar run from Havaila here, then they should offer decent place value at their current double-digit price.
- Suggested bet: Havaila each-way in the 14:30 at Ascot
- Tip advised by TC’s Punts on Tipstrr
READ MORE: Ascot racing tips: Best bets for Friday December 22
