UK Horse Racing Tips

The MITIE Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (3.05) at Ascot on Friday looks competitive to start with and could turn into a slog, so a ‘shock’ result doesn’t look entirely out of the question.

Knight Of Pleasure hasn’t won for two years and is clearly a difficult horse to catch right, but Gary Moore has been in decent form in recent weeks and the 6-year-old is well handicapped on his best form. The Exit To Nowhere gelding has been put back over hurdles after and an unsuccessful spell over fences last season and is, in fact, 3lb lower in the weights than his last winning mark. He has his stamina to prove over 2 miles 5½ furlongs, but both his career wins came on heavy going, so he won’t mind any rain that falls in Berkshire and George Gorman takes off a useful 8lb.

Vale of Glamorgan trainer Evan Williams has also been among the winners of late and his 8-year-old Lava Lamp wouldn’t be without a chance if able to recapture his best form. The Sharmadal gelding remains 4lb higher in the weights than when winning a similar race, over 2 miles 2½ furlongs, at Newton Abbot in the summer but, by virtue of riding for his own stable, Cian Maher can claim 10lb. Lava Lamp has plenty of winning form on soft going, including over 2 miles 6 furlongs, so could go well at a nice price.

Selections: Ascot 3.05 Knight Of Pleasure, Lava Lamp

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