TimeformBlog

Remember Now (12:50) can get us off to a good start this afternoon, looking Bet of the Day material in the opening handicap hurdle at Haydock. Remember Now is a half-brother to Binocular so it isn't ureasonable to anticipate that this Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old may yet progress into performer in time, and he went some way towards demonstrating his potential last term, impressively landing handicaps at both Stratford and Ayr. He was then sent off the well-backed (and tongue tied) favourite for the Swinton Hurdle over course and distance in April but experienced a breathing problem and finished last of the twenty two runners. Champion Jockey Tony McCoy continues the partnership on Remember Now's return this afternoon and, with the handicapper having dropped him 2 lb for that disappointing performance last time, he should be able to regain the winning thread.

Duke of Lucca (13:35) looks a fair price to land the small-field beginners' chase at Ascot on his second start over the larger obstacles. He is up against three opponents who are chasing for the first time and, having put in a promising effort to finish second behind Ace High at Chepstow last month, Duke of Lucca can open his account this afternoon. The form of the aforementioned race has worked out particularly well, with two of the horses to have finished behind having shown improvement in better company on their subsequent starts . Philip Hobbs' six-year-old should be capable of following suit with the necessary improvement required for a win this afternoon before going on to bigger and better things this winter.

Decoy can land back-to-back handicap victories in the 15:55 at Ascot today having landed a conditional jockeys' contest at Cheltenham last weekend under an enterprising ride from this afternoon's pilot Connor O'Farrell. Decoy, who is racing off the same mark, is judged to be 13 lb superior to his nearest rival on Timeform ratings (weight adjusted). What's more, there is the added possibility that Decoy will once again be allowed to dominate proceedings as he did at Cheltenham, with very few recognised front-runners in opposition. With the David Pipe stable continuing in such excellent form recently, Decoy has to go close again.

Back Remember Now @ 3.5 in the 12:50 at Haydock
Back Duke of Lucca @ 2.78 in the 13:35 at Ascot
Back Decoy at 2.5 in the 15:55 at Ascot

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