Horse Racing Betting Tips – 2.40pm Buckhounds Stakes At Ascot

May 9, 2014 Thatsbettingtips Staff

Horse racing betting tips for the 2.40pm Buckhound Stakes at Ascot.

The highlight of the racing action from Ascot on Saturday is the Carey Group Buckhounds Stakes, a Listed race run over 1m4f. 10 runners go to post in what looks on paper to be a highly competitive and entertaining contest. With the majority of the field arriving here after their seasonal reappearances there shouldn’t be too many excuses and we should be treated to a good quality spectacle.

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On official ratings, Harris Tweed (6/1 SkyBet) arrives here as the highest rated runner off a mark of 112. A comfortable winner last year in a Listed contest at Goodwood, this seven year-old is regularly seen to best effect when allowed to dictate matters from the front. He made his reappearance at this track some 10 days ago in the Sagaro stakes over 2m but was bitterly disappointing, fading in the home straight and finishing some 54 lengths behind the eventual winner. It could well be that he needed the run and a return to a shorter trip will help but it was very disappointing to see how quickly he gave up his challenge and he might well struggle here against more progressive, younger horses.

Heading the weights is the Richard Hannon trained Pether’s Moon (9/2 Ladbrokes) who carries a 3lb penalty for winning a Listed contest at Kempton at the end of last year. On that day he fully utilised his weight for age allowance and beat the re-opposing Gatewood by just over 3 lengths. Despite being in receipt of 6lbs he won well and looked progressive. He has continued to show progress this season after starting his 2014 campaign by finishing second to Gospel Choir in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes. For much of the contest Pether’s Moon travelled like the best horse and only started to flag near the line where the benefit of a prior run gave Gospel Choir the decisive advantage. He looks open to more improvement and should give a bold show but his trainer has already voiced concerns over the ground and providing the forecast is accurate he may well not run.

Gatewood (7/1 William Hill) not only has form that ties in with Pether’s Moon but also with Area Fifty One (6/1 bet365), after the pair clashed on their seasonal reappearances at Doncaster in the Doncaster Shield Conditions Stakes. Area Fifty One got the better of Gatewood on the day but the latter looked to have needed the run and could give his conqueror more to think about this time. Both however look exposed and vulnerable to some of the younger horses.

One such progressive individual is the Mick Channon trained ELIDOR (11/1 Betfred). After a good season as a three year-old he returned after his winter break gelded and ran an eye-catching race when claiming victory at Thirsk. Although that contest was only a Class 2 handicap, he travelled well throughout and looked likely to win by an impressive margin. As it turned out he only won by two and three quarter lengths but was giving albs to the runner-up and could well come on for his first appearance. He seemingly handles a variety of ground types (a winner on good to soft as well as good to firm) and has also claimed victory over C&D. Likely to be a big price on the day, if he continues to improve then he has solid each-way claims.

Another horse high on the shortlist is the first of the Godolphin representatives – Cap O’Rushes (6/1 William Hill). This horse was impressive throughout his three year-old campaign, finishing fourth in the Irish Derby before winning the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. He looked to be unsuited by the step up in trip when contesting the Ledger and should find himself more at home back over 12f. He was beaten by Elidor at Ascot prior to the Irish Derby but was giving the winner on the day albs and found himself well out at the back of the pack turning in for home. He too handles different types of ground and, providing he doesn’t need the run, is a leading contender.

Of the remainder, Kelinni (8/1 SkyBet) is an interesting runner for Marco Botti. Previously trained in Australia, he has performed well in a number of Group contests and looks interesting for his new stable and with the first time application of the headgear. One to note for the future but best watched here on debut for a new stable and after 182 days off the track.

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If the ground were to remain good or even firmer then I would strongly fancy Pether’s Moon to claim victory despite carrying a penalty. His run behind Gospel Choir was very impressive and he looked every bit the winner before finding little when asked. That could well be put down to needing his first run and he is sure to strip much fitter here. However, Hannon has stated that the horse will only run if the ground is suitable and, with the rain forecast, the current good to soft ground could well deteriorate further. With that in mind, attention surely has to turn back to other progressive four year-olds and thanks to the competitive nature of the contest it may well pay to look for a spot of each-way value. Despite having to find a bit on the ratings; ELIDOR has the benefit of C&D experience, a recent run and should handle ground with cut in it. He is worth his place in this line-up and could well offer more throughout the season.

Buckhounds Stakes Tip –

ELIDOR (E/W) (NAP) (11/1 Betfred)

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