Weekend Betting Tips: Dodging Bullets primed for Ascot

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds on the weekend's races

SATURDAY

ASCOT

2-25 KELTBRAY HOLLOWAY’S HURDLE (GRADE 2) – 2 M 3 F 110 YDS

Garde La Victoire ran a fine race when fifth of eighteen to Bayan at this track last month. He would have finished a bit closer to the winner but for a blunder at the final hurdle which cost him all chance. He is reunited with Richard Johnson for the first time since their win in the Greatwood at Cheltenham back in November and that is an added bonus. Richard Johnson has been on board for five out of his six career wins and their experience of large field handicaps ought to stand them in good stead here.

Rayvin Black produced a career best performance to win at Sandown earlier in the month. He set about making all off his featherweight and whilst he has something to find on the official ratings, he will be a danger if allowed to get a soft lead. Thomas Garner is once again in the saddle and is able to take a useful five pounds and they could pose the biggest threat.

Willem makes his British debut for David Pipe this afternoon and having won well at Compiegne last season he is entitled to plenty of respect. Le Mercuery and One Lucky Lady have disappointed in recent starts and will need to find significant improvement in order to figure here. Philip Hobbs has his yard in great shape and Garde La Victoire looks set to improve on what has been a money spinning season for the trainer.

3-00 SODEXO CLARENCE HOUSE CHASE (GRADE 1) – 2 M 1 F

Dodging Bullets comes here very much at the top of his game and won a competitive renewal of the Tingle Creek at Sandown just last month. The form has been subsequently franked by the fourth placed Balder Success who romped to victory at Kempton last weekend. It looks as though Paul Nicholls has finally got to the bottom of this one’s breathing issues and with Noel Fehily booked to ride the yard can record a fifth success in the race since 1999.

Somersby has been around for an eternity and should run his usual brave race. His jumping has improved since being allowed to make the running in his races and he is likely to try and set the pace here. He may struggle to confirm form with Dodging Bullets but he is fully race fit and deserves his place in the field.

Sprinter Sacre is set to make his long awaited reappearance. Nicky Henderson has given the green light for him to run but he will improve on whatever he does this afternoon. If back to anywhere near his best he would be a long odds on chance to win, but Nicky Henderson does not have the best of records with older horses and the fact that he lacks recent race fitness is also a major cause for concern. It tempers enthusiasm somewhat and he is best watched. Dodging Bullets looked back to his best at Sandown and it would be of no surprise to see him follow up today.

HAYDOCK

3-15 PETER MARSH CHASE (GRADE 3) – 3 M 1 F

Corrin Wood loves it when the mud is flying and he improved significantly from his seasonal debut to finish a gallant third in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby. This bad ground will suit the front running eight-year-old who is once again set to be partnered by Jason Maguire. They combined to win three races in succession last year at tracks such as Catterick, Market Rasen and Warwick. The handicapper has given Corrin Wood a live chance now that he has dropped him ten pounds from his career high mark last season. The stable appear to have turned a corner and he has to be high on any shortlist.

No Planning won on his seasonal reappearance at Wetherby when partnered by Callum Bewley for the first time. The seven pound claimer retains the ride this afternoon and with improvement likely he has to be rated as a danger. He is a previous course winner and has also proven himself at the trip in the past. He is another that handles underfoot conditions and he is entitled to utmost respect.

Hey Big Spender is tough as teak and fully deserves his place at the top of the weights this afternoon. He was far from disgraced in a race won by The Young Master at Ascot last time and could easily make the frame if his younger rivals fail to live up to expectations. Corrin Wood is locally trained and Donald McCain landed this feature race with Cloudy Lane back in 2009. This is likely to have been his main early season target and he looks primed to go close this afternoon now that he is fully fit.