Neil Morrice brings us his preview and predicted finish for Saturday’s Tote Victoria Cup Heritage Handicap taking lace at Ascot.
The undoubted betting highlight of the weekend always takes plenty of working out and this renewal is no exception.
Only three or four points separate the top eight in the betting with KYNREN a very interesting runner from the North. Trained by David Barron who is adept for laying one out for a race like this, the 5yo stated his case for this by chasing home the handicap snip Auxerre in the Lincoln. KYNREN was going on as well as the winner at the finish after making up a lot of ground in the final furlong. And while he hasn’t won since September 2017 he would enjoy it if there’s cut in the ground.
CAPE BYRON has had his supporters and is proven when there’s a bit of cut in the ground. On soft going he finished in mid-division after going off favourite for a big handicap over course and distance on Champions’ Day.
Last year’s winner RIPP ORF is very interesting as although ultimately beaten a long way behind Chatez in the Newbury Spring Cup, he met with interference at the quarter-mile pole which effectively knocked him out of it.
It takes a good horse to gain back-to-back victories in this but there’s plenty to recommend RIPP ORF whose 12lbs higher rating this time has been earned with consistent wins and defeats in some of the strongest handicaps run on straight courses last year.
He ran big races in defeat here on two other occasions including the International Stakes on King George day but backed up his Victoria Cup win by landing the Cunard Handicap in September. He’s shown an affinity for all types of going and is 2lb lower than for his latest run here when second in the Challenge Cup.
BLUE MIST has some strong course form to bring to the table and that clear cut success in October brings this lightly raced individual right into the mix. Although that came at a mile he possesses the necessary pace to effectively drop back to seven furlongs.
Another that commands attention is REMARKABLE who when last seen here on his final 2017 start delivered the goods in style, and after missing all last year delighted connections by making the frame in the Doncaster Mile
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish
First: RIPP ORF
Second: Kynren
Third: Remarkable
Fourth: Blue Mist
Fifth: Cape Byron
