Horse Racing Betting Tips: Presidential can trump his rivals in the Victoria Cup

ON A very busy afternoon of racing, Ascot hosts a decent card where the highlight is the Tote Victoria Cup (4.00pm).

This is the first of a number of big seven furlong handicaps at the Berkshire course during the Flat season and last year’s winner Ripp Orf is back to defend his crown.

David Elsworth’s five-year-old has form figures over this course and distance of 1312, which is quite staggering as they were all in big fields.

He is greatly respected but is now 12lbs higher than when winning this contest 12 months ago, so the percentage call is to look for something slightly better handicapped.

Roger Fell won some decent prizes last season and I think his PRESIDENTIAL could be better than his mark of 90.

His last four runs have been practically career best efforts and he was a little unlucky on his reappearance at Newmarket last month.

Well backed that day, the race didn’t quite pan out for him, but he still ran well to be third.

Fell’s horses have been running well, he has a lovely racing weight and his draw in 25 looks good as the last six winners have come from stall 13 or higher.

I also like the Ben Curtis jockey booking and Presidential looks a decent each-way bet at 12/1 with Ladbrokes.

Earlier on the card, I fancy BARSANTI to repeat his win in last year’s Carey Group Buckhounds Stakes (2.50pm).

The son of Champs Elysees has a good record fresh and can see off the higher-rated Salouen who has good placed form but just doesn’t win.

Roger Varian’s horses continue in fine form and he is the bet here at 13/8 in what looks a match, with just four runners lining up.

POINTERS SATURDAY

Barsanti 2.50pm Ascot

Presidential e/w 4.00pm Ascot