Regal Parade to stand up tall in Ascot’s Challenge Cup
Published:It is Challenge Cup day at Ascot, while three Group races join the handicap on the televised card, giving punters plenty to ponder.
14:00 Ascot – Garswood @ 7/4
Based on official ratings, Garswood is the best horse in the field, despite the fact that Bungleinthejungle is having to carry a penalty based on being a previous winner at Group level.
More importantly, Garswood has proven form on slower ground, with a victory on heavy ground on his resume from his last start at Ayr.
This run was also his only previous attempt at 5f and he seemed to appreciate the stronger early pace over the reduced trip to win a shade easily.
14:30 Ascot – Camborne @ 5/1
Marcus Tregoning has won this four times in the last nine years and saddles Hawaafez this time, while Starboard has to be respected after a Group Three success in France last time.
But preference is for John Gosden’s other entrant Camborne, who is the only course and distance winner in the line-up.
Camborne can be an awkward ride and the big challenge for Eddie Ahern is ensuring the horse does not hit the front too soon in what will be his first race in a field smaller than nine runners.
15:05 Ascot – Valbchek @ 8/1
Mince is clearly talented and triumphed on her sole start at Ascot, which suggests she will take to the course, but all four previous winners of this race carried 9st1lb.
In terms of the trends of past victors, Confessional best fits the bill as the winner, but tends to find winning difficult.
He is a solid each-way price, but it is Valbchek that is more fancied, despite finishing behind Confessional in the Scarbrough Stakes last time.
The step up to 6f though should suit Valbchek here as he has won on both previous races over the trip.
15:35 Ascot – Regal Parade @ 10/1
The Challenge Cup is the star attraction of the Ascot card and Regal Parade is nothing but consistent, finishing in the first three in four of his last five starts.
He was coming home exceptionally well in the Ayr Gold Cup and re-opposes the winner of that race Captain Ramius on 3lb better terms.
Jamesie remains one of the most frustrating horses in racing to punters as he continually appears to be travelling well in races before finding bad luck in running. He may also be worth another chance.
All odds and markets correct as of publication
