Harry Cobden’s Planet Sport Bet blog: Wrappedupinmay is one of my best chances at Ascot

12:40 (Ascot) Wrappedupinmay

I kick off my rides on Saturday with Wrappedupinmay.

He's a horse that's improving all the time and I was actually disappointed with his run last time.

In hindsight, though, the winner, trained by Dan Skelton, has come out and won a Grade 2 easily since, so the form looks pretty solid now. He’s certainly progressing, jumps well and I can’t see the trip being an issue.

He's probably one of my best chances on Saturday.

 

13:15 (Ascot) Solo

I’m then on Solo. He’s a horse that’s done really well in the past 12 months having looked like a fairly average handicap hurdler at one stage before we got him chasing.

He’s certainly left that run of bad form behind since he’s been jumping the bigger obstacles.
 
He’s been very good, and I was very pleased with his first run this season; he ran a great race.

Ahead of Saturday, he’s fresh and Paul’s [Nicholls] happy with him so I think we’ll be in with a good chance.

 
13:50 (Ascot) Cap du Mathan

Next up is Cap du Mathan, who’s a lovely horse.

The only thing is I’m not sure how much weight he will have in hand with the handicapper. He’s probably not that well-handicapped anymore having done so well last year mainly because never really runs a bad race.

He doesn’t give himself a chance to get a couple of pounds off his back, but he’s a good horse and more than entitled to run into a place.
 

14:25 (Ascot) Blueking D’Oroux

I ride Blueking D’Oroux in the Long Walk Hurdle which will be a tough, and very competitive race.

I was shocked (and delighted) with his last performance and the lad that rides him every day seems to think he’s improved again! I’m hoping he’s right, and the team are very happy with him at home.
 
It’s obviously a big ask for a four-year-old against these older horses, but he’s going into the race in top form and I’m very much looking forward to him.

 

15:00 (Ascot) Flash Collonges

My final ride of the day is Flash Collonges. He normally needs his first run as he’s a big, stuffy horse but Paul has put loads of work into him this year, so we’ll be hoping for a good run first time out.

With regards to his mark, I don’t think he’s been badly handicapped on some of his best form.

He ran a nice race in the Scottish National before he tripped over his own feet but he’s always been a solid campaigner and should be there or thereabouts again.

 

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