Puppy and Fox Can Snare Major Ascot Honours

Virgin Media’s link with ITV Racing will make sure that there is 10 live races on terrestrial television in Ireland this afternoon.

There are loads of opportunities for punters to get stuck in and there’ll be plenty of potential Cheltenham clues throughout the afternoon too.

The Red Mills Chase will get Irish Racing back on to ITV for a third week in a row but BoyleSports ambassador Robbie Power goes to Ascot and has to have a very strong chance of landing feature honours.

Puppy and Fox Can Snare Major Ascot Honours
Robbie Power teamed up with Colin Tizzard for a winner at Sandown yesterday and they must have strong claims in the Ascot Chase with Fox Norton.

The betting looks a bit skewed here with Fox Norton 11/2 in this six-runner race. Waiting Patiently ran in the King George for his first run since this race last year but he unseated Brian Hughes at Christmas and could well be found needing the run today yet he is 6/4 favourite.

Politologue looks the biggest danger to Fox Norton if he can put his King George run behind him but he probably just doesn’t want three-miles, while his stable companion Cyrname steps up in class but doesn’t look a Grade 1 performer yet.

Fox Norton is a model of consistency. His only bad run for Colin Tizzard came in the 2017 King George but outside of that hasn’t been out of the first two for the trainer and having missed a year he made a very encouraging return behind Altior in the Clarence House.

Fox Norton should be better suited stepping back up in trip, he has followed home one of the best horses of his generation in Altior but prior to that has rubbed shoulders with plenty of good horses including beating Un De Sceaux at Punchestown two seasons ago.

In his Herald column today Robbie Power insists that Fox Norton still retains his ability and spark and…

at the price he is certainly worth taking a chance on.

Monalee Can Give Blackmore Biggest Career Success
The Red Mills Chase may have cut up from what we expected it to be this time last week but there is still a quality field of four going to post.

Monalee would look the best suited by the conditions and should win this for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.

Blackmore is still seeking a first Grade 1 winner and while she has already won a Grade 2 on Bedrock this season, Monalee winning the Red Mills Chase today would be the biggest winner of her career to date.

Henry de Bromhead himself would question whether or not Monalee is an out an out three miler so this two and a half mile trip at Gowran should be ideal.

The Irish Gold Cup was bypassed because of the ground but Gowran being yielding to soft should be perfect for any jump horse.

Killultagh Vic, Anibale Fly and Edwulf are definitely all better over further whereas Monalee is the most suited to the track and being a Grade 1 winner himself and…

a horse that has been placed in a few more the 1/1 on offer yesterday evening looks a fair price.

Recommended Bets:
Fox Norton (11/2) – 3.55 Ascot
Monalee (EVS) – 2.30 Gowran Park

*Prices correct at time of publication.