PROFESSIONAL GAMBLER: 4 TIPS AT ASCOT, HAYDOCK & WINCANTON

PROFESSIONAL GAMBLER: 4 TIPS AT ASCOT, HAYDOCK & WINCANTON. Today’s racing is nicely competitive — just how we like it. I’ll be keeping tabs on plenty of races, but these are the four bets I’m happy to put up early. We’re not swinging at wild prices; this is about taking a solid position. Let’s get straight to it.

Let’s be clear from the outset: MARHABA PRINCE has been beaten at odds-on (1/2 and 4/11) on his last two starts. Since moving to Anthony Honeyball, the five-year-old has failed to deliver, and that has to be a concern.

THE EGYPTIAN PRINCE has been highly tried on his last three runs, which alone suggests he’s well regarded. Off a mark of 115, the five-year-old is entitled to be competitive here.

With Robert Stephens’ yard in decent form, CABALLERO CLIFF is another who commands respect. He finished a strong fourth, beaten just over three lengths, in last year’s Champion Bumper. A return to that level would make him very hard to beat, but he does need to put two poor runs behind him.

I’m prepared to take on the front of the market with FULL FORCE GALE. He won his bumper at Ffos Las on debut and, while he’s been beaten twice since — including a pull-up on his hurdling debut — there’s enough substance in his profile to suggest he can make a hurdler. Importantly, he’s bred to cope with testing ground, and that could be key here.

Since switching to fences, THE JUKEBOX KID has taken a notable step forward. The seven-year-old remains lightly raced and open to further improvement, and the ground won’t inconvenience him. That said, the Ben Pauling yard isn’t firing on all cylinders, and he looks shorter in the market than I’d anticipated.

WESTERN KNIGHT arrives on the back of two wins, but stepping up to three miles on soft ground raises doubts.

I’m siding with the Anthony Honeyball-trained CREST OF FORTUNE. He was a shade disappointing last time, but there were valid excuses, and his earlier form reads well. The step up to three miles looks a positive, and this trip should suit him better. Rex Dingle taking the ride only strengthens the case, and the price looks fair.

A winner of 14 of his 20 chase starts, including 10 Grade 1 victories, JONBON has nothing left to prove. Despite winning last time out, the 10-year-old still doesn’t seem to be getting the respect he deserves. The way he won over two miles here suggested today’s longer trip could suit him even better.

That said, this is no knock on the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding. However, I do think PIC D’ORHY can lower his colours. Paul Nicholls’ 11-year-old saves his best for Ascot, and the good-to-soft ground is ideal. At around 9/4, he looks a steal.

This is a fascinating Class 3 handicap, with several exposed chasers taking on two unexposed types. While the older horses have their merits, I won’t be looking beyond the first two in the market.

THE BLUESMAN has improved since joining Olly Murphy, but he’s been nudged up another 4lb for finishing second at Leicester. His jumping is a big plus, but giving weight to THROATLASH won’t be easy.

Donald McCain’s seven-year-old has won his last three starts, the latest over this course and distance. He’s a strong traveller, a slick jumper, and still improving. The handicapper has been fair with a 5lb rise, and with proven form on soft ground, he’s the one to beat.

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