The Racing Mind Longshots - Episode 1

Welcome to the first edition of the weekly longshots blog. This is a blog that will be published every Friday for Saturday's racing, trying to unearth those big priced winners. I'll be trying to hit big prices from probably 14/1 plus, the bigger the better but the market is much more knowledgeable than it used to be, and trying to find 33/1+ winners is harder than it used to be. We'll give it a go, and hope you enjoy.

*PRICES TO BE UPDATED TONIGHT*

2:10 Ascot - 1m7½f (1m7f152y) Bateaux London Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race

A decent handicap hurdle to kick things off. Soaring Glory and Ajero look the obvious 2 to concentrate on as the most obvious winners to me. I guess they will see if Soaring Glory is a possible Champion Hurdle contender by winning this off 143. I don't think he's up to that standard myself but he wasn't right in the Supreme according to connections, so I guess they will give this a go before deciding whether to go chasing.

Outside of the front 2, if the ground was softer than I'd chance the 4 year old Elham Valley for Fergal O'Brien. However the ground at Ascot doesn't look too bad, so I'll chance a go on the Chris Gordon trained HIGHWAY ONE O TWO. Although the Shirocco gelding handles deep conditions, his best performances have come on better ground including at Kempton - winning the grade 2 Adonis. He's down from a high of 145 after that Kempton win to 132 and the handicapper may of given him a chance to run well soon enough. Priced at 25/1, he could have a squeak of running a decent race after a pipe opener at Chepstow a couple of weeks ago.

Highway One O Two - 1pt e/w @ 25/1 (Bet365) or Skybet paying 5 places (16/1)

3:20 Ascot - 3m (2m7f180y) Bateaux London Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

A few who like Ascot in this race including the serial Ascot winner Regal Encore. Benny's King and Vinndication also enjoy the course too, but I'm going to take a chance on MISTER MALARKY who has some form at the track including winning a good handicap chase off 150, whilst he also won the Reynoldstown Novice Chase here back in 2019. Runs off a mark of 151 tomorrow, however Harry Kimber takes 7lb off the gelding and that could sway things for a decent run. He actually had a decent time of things last season running well in a couple of handicaps at Ascot, and Kempton - beating The Conditional at Ascot on heavy ground last December, and was a strange mover in the Grand National market on the day being well backed into 12/1 before pulling up. Already had a pipe opener at Chepstow, this could be his first main target of the year, and although he is severely inconsistent - he will run well enough in a couple of handicaps through the season as always.

Mister Malarky - 1pt e/w @ 20/1 (Betfair paying 5 places)

2:30 Wetherby - 3m (3m26y) bet365 Hurdle (Grade 2)

He won't likely win this race but I think ASK DILLON is a big price for this with more rain forecast. Outside of Paisley Park, he's the strongest stayer in the pack and the rain could help slow the others down. Didn't enjoy his last outing at Chepstow over fences, he's much more comfortable over hurdles and I'm comfortable with him coming back from fences to hurdles, and slotting back in easily. He was so consistent in handicap hurdles last season, and with this Grade 2 looking really poor, I'll give a chance to one of the strongest stayers. I'm doubtful that Thomas Darby, Master Tommytucker and Indefatigable as true 3 milers too, whilst the others are questionable. The only 2 who properly stay the distance are the favourite and Ask Dillon and I'll give a chance to an each way bet on the Fergal runner.

Ask Dillon - 1pt e/w @ 33/1 (365)

3:40 Wetherby - 2m3½f (2m3f154y) bet365 Handicap Hurdle

Put up on this blog last weekend, I'll take a chance that CLEMENCIA might be get the season back on track after his first flight fall at Cheltenham last Friday. A little worry that he will carry 11-11, which for a small compact horse is a bit of an ask. However I do think he will run well soon enough off a mark of 128 and if he's over his fall than I expect him to run a decent race. If not, back in the notebook for future endeavours.

Clemencia - 1pt e/w @ 25/1 (Skybet paying 5 places)