Art Mauresque a Big Price in Ascot Listed Handicap

The Ascot card on Saturday is full of good races, and the listed handicap at 2:10 is one of those, and probably the most competitive race of the day. With some big names out there, many punters will be getting involved but it may be a horse a little further down the betting list that takes the race, and that is Art Mauresque.

I strongly fancied him to run a big race at Doncaster in the Sky Bet Chase last month and he eventually finished 5th. He ran ok that day, but a couple of errors during the race left him with a bit too much to do and he could never really get competitive before staying on towards the end. His best run so far this season came at Ascot, and the return to this track is what I am hoping gives him an additional push here, and allows him to go very close.

He finished second behind Traffic Fluide in a very competitive handicap at the course under young rider Lorcan Williams, who rides again here and takes off a valuable five pounds. With that weight coming off and the two pound drop he has been given since Doncaster, he is able to run off seven pounds lower than he did at Doncaster.

The competition is strong, but it was at Doncaster and I am expecting a really big run here from the horse. Right at the bottom of the weights, Reikers Island has crept in under a feather weight, while up near the top Black Corton has a big weight to carry but a huge heart and both of these two horses look like potential dangers.

However, I am more than happy to give Art Mauresque another chance, with less weight on his back and a return to Ascot he has plenty in his favour at a big price.