betting
Al Ferof can land Victor Chandler glory at Ascot
By Stephen, BettingExpert.com | Edited
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Paul Nicholls Al Ferof has always been held in the highest regard by the powerful Ditcheat team, and he can step up in class to land The Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot.
The prolific 7-y-o was a very useful hurdler and duly made a smooth transition to the larger obstacles this season, winning impressively at Cheltenham first time up before rather scrambling home at Sandown in a muddling contest. He is a bold jumping, strong traveller and appeals as far less exposed than his rivals in this fiercely contested clash of the generations.
Finians Rainbow has been all the rage in the ante-post exchanges in the run up to this race, supported into 7-4f after some hefty wagers with the sponsor. He did very well to win on his return after all but falling two out when pressing for the lead, however that eyecatching victory has meant his price is ridiculously short in a far more competitive race this afternoon. His slight tendency to jump left is a minor concern and he will have to be at his very best to see off Al Ferof.
Wishfull Thinking has had a disappointing season so far, with an apparent physical ailment causing him to stop rapidly on more than one occasion. He showed last time when a close second to Finians Rainbow that the ability is still there but he seemed flattered and may struggle to reverse the form.
Somersby has excellent form at this course and distance, including when pressing Master Minded hard, and seems sure to be thereabouts again, however he usually finds at least one too good at the top level and will need the principals to under perform if he is to land the £105,000 prize money.
Perhaps Gauvain offers the value angle for those after a bigger priced runner. He is unbeaten in both completed starts this season, and really impressed when landing the Peterborough Chase by a wide-margin at Huntingdon in December. The drop down to the minimum is a concern and he may not have the speed to lay up against more specialist two-milers.
In summary, the race of the season so far, but Al Ferof seems sure to go very close and appeals at around 3-1 this morning as a decent win investment. Ruby Walsh is sure to be positive and use his high cruising speed to good effect at this sharp course, and he can prove too strong for Finians Rainbow in the straight.
Stephen's Saturday Nap Al Ferof 3.10 Ascot
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