Ascot tips: Flegmatik fancied for big Handicap prize on Winter Million day two

The Weekend Winners trio return with a look at a busy two days of racing, including a top quality card from Ascot.

Host Kate Tracey is joined by BetVictor’s Sam Boswell and At The Races’ Declan Rix to discuss what remains of the weekend’s action following the abandonment of Kempton’s Lanzarote Handicap meeting.

The team begin with a look at the bet365 Handicap Chase, held at Ascot at 2.15pm on Saturday – live on Sky Sports Racing…

Host Kate Tracey…

“It’s a cracking contest, this. The form line between Kotmask and Martator really interests me, but I’m going with Kotmask. Hopefully he can double up after his success a month ago at Ascot over two miles and three furlongs. He’s managed to figure out his own way of doing things despite the usual few mistakes so provided his jockey sits tight, they could still reveal decent form.

“Off the same mark as 130 last time out, up in distance, he improved marginally to gain that deserved success. He faces his old foe Martator in here, who beat him on his reappearance and even by further on Kotmask’s penultimate start. He [Kotmask] clearly has enough to find but when you look at it they were running off level weights when taking jockeys’ claims into account on that occasion. Kotmask will get 15lb from Martator here, so I think he’ll reverse the form.”

At The Races’ Declan Rix…

“This is a competitive race! I like Flegmatik and I wonder whether this has been the plan for this Dan Skelton-trained horse. He’s ran four times this year, drifted from 16s to 50s and before that he drifted from sixes out to 15/2 at Ascot. He was also a decent drifter last time out behind Victtorino around here but there were signs of life that day, and he’s coming down the Handicap.

“This is a £100k race with £52k to the winner and I wonder – as the Skeltons are great target trainers – whether this race has been targeted. The drop down in trip is going to suit him, he’s ran at Ascot nine times without a win but he’s got plenty of good form. He runs off 132, minus another three for Tristan Durrell’s 3lb claim – so he’s well handicapped to go close. Let’s go, baby!”

BetVictor’s Sam Boswell…

“I’m expecting my selection to drift to an even bigger price, but I’m going in again on Bad – who sometimes does live up to his name. We all know he can be a little bit difficult when he gets towards the front, but going back this way will help.

“Going up in trip will help and I think there are enough that will go with him in terms of the pace. My plan is that a few will take him into the race and blinkers are going on, which might eke out that bit of improvement. You’ve got to have faith and he’s a good each-way price if nothing else. He seems to run well here and I’m prepared to go to the well one more time for him.

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