SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
After collecting 16.50 points and moving back to the top of the leaderboard last week, SBC News are there to be shot at as the Tipster Challenge enters its 15th week at Ascot. This week the 2nd placed Guests are represented by John Hill, PR Manager at Coral.
John has been in his current role with Coral since March 2014, and represents the company across a wide range of media outlets, including talkSPORT and At The Races. Previously, he spent almost 3 years as a Sports Broadcaster on Betfred TV.
He will be hoping to regain the lead with some well-informed picks at Ascot. The first of six races gets underway at 2:10, as Stephen Harris, horse racing guru at bettingexpert, and Timeform get another chance to move back into contention.
Here you can see the expert tips for each of the six races. Stay up to date with the action via Twitter:
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2:10
SBC News: The Last Lion
Debut win at Doncaster earlier this month, albeit in a sub-standard field, and should contend.
bettingexpert: The Last Lion
Looked a scopey juvenile to follow when making a winning debut at Doncaster, and can put his experience to good use here with the stable in cracking form.
Timeform: The Last Lion
Created a good impression when readily justifying short-priced favouritism in the Brocklesby at Doncaster and has to be considered the one to beat.
Coral: Sterling Silva
Sterling Silva made a fine start to his campaign with a victory on his debut at Leicester on heavy ground. He might just appreciate better going this time but if the rain does come, he has proven he can handle the juice in the ground.
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2:45
SBC News: Dawn Of Hope
Won here at Ascot last September, and showed promise at Newmarket a month later.
bettingexpert: Doubly Motivated
Just the type to thrive as a 3-y-o and has more potential than any of these rivals.
Timeform: Light Up Our World
Has to be considered the one to beat after finishing a fine second in Group 3 company on her reappearance; the main threat may come from Summer Icon.
Coral: Dawn Of Hope
This three-year old filly finished sixth behind Minding in the Group One Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket last season. This is clearly a much easier task. She’s a course and distance winner and as long as she does not need the run, she could be more than good enough to win this.
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3:20
SBC News: Clever Cookie
Beaten into second place as a 4/6 favourite at Nottingham earlier this month, but taken to show enough improvement to go one better.
bettingexpert: Glaring
Was a useful stayer in France and is taken to make a winning start for new connections.
Timeform: Clever Cookie
Behind Flying Officer in a C&D Group 2 last autumn but meets that rival on 5lb better terms now and can reverse the placings with Ryan Moore taking over in the saddle for the first time.
Coral: Clever Cookie
Clever Cookie was beaten by a length by Flying Officer at the back end of last season. He now has five pounds on John Gosden’s runner. With a run already under his belt this season, that could be enough for the consistent eight-year old to reverse the form with the top horse.
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3:55
SBC News: Gifted Master
Won on the last four starts, and more than capable of emulating impressive Newmarket performance to beat pre-race favourite Washington DC.
bettingexpert: Washington DC
Seems sure to get a positive ride from Moore now dropping back to six furlongs and can continue O’Brien’s fast start to the turf season.
Timeform: Washington DC
Chased home the hot favourite for the 2000 Guineas in a Group 1 on his final start last year and should take a bit of stopping here on the back of a smooth reappearance success at Dundalk.
Coral: Gifted Master
If this was trained by Aidan O’Brien it would probably odds-on in the betting. You have to respect Washington DC but this horse is the top rated in the field and already has a Group win under his belt.
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4:30
SBC News: Gm Hopkins
Arod escapes all the penalties but would prefer a quicker track, so we’re siding with Gm Hopkins.
bettingexpert: Gm Hopkins
Caught the eye in defeat on numerous occasions last year and seems sure to be primed for this return at a track where he always excels.
Timeform: Arod
More than held his own at the highest level last season and can make a winning return dropped in grade.
Coral: Arod
A drop down to Listed company should be enough to see Arod return to the winner’s enclosure once again. He runs well fresh at the start of the season and is arguably the best bet on the card today.
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5:00
SBC News: Chevallier
A wide open end to the event, with no clear race favourite. Chevallier, a four-time winner last summer, should be in the mix.
bettingexpert: Robert the Painter
Has been kept busy on the all-weather of late and excelled here back in October last year on a rare run on turf.
Timeform: Oasis Spear
Showed plenty of ability in maidens last summer and looks just the type to do even better at 4 years, so is taken to make a winning handicap debut despite the drop in trip being a slight concern.
Coral: Bastille Day
This horse went close on his handicap debut at Newmarket last time. He’ll handle the conditions very well so should close in what is a very competitive handicap to finish the card.
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