Sunday’s selections at 10/1 and 5/1 (NAP) at Ascot

There are two selections for members on Sunday, both at Ascot at 10/1 and 9/2. The first is a juvenile hurdler, and the NAP is a horse primed to better his second in the same race last year.

14:45 Ascot – Back Moutarde @ 9/1 1pt

This is a weak Juvenile race, and the one that looks overpriced is Anthony Charlton’s Moutarde. He wasn’t correct at Ascot behind Lulamba in January. However, he still managed a hand and heels display compared to today’s favourite, Ocean Conquest (4th in that Ascot race), suggesting he could have his measure.

He was then due to go close in a Listed event at Musselburgh, which, on balance, is a stronger race than today’s, when he looked like going close behind the eventual winner and 130-rated St Pancras. He effortlessly cruised past the shorter-priced Maitre En Scince, for who he is now six pounds better off at the weights.

He had little chance of getting involved in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival when held up at the rear of the field off a slow gallop. Still, he caught the eye, moving into the home straight to finish 13th.

None of these are well handicapped unless the former French recruits pull a big improved performance out of the bag. Still, the selection has Callum Pritchard claiming five off his back, and the newly fitted tongue tie could easily spark further improvement.

His victory at Kempton earlier this year is sufficient to see him win this contest. Ocean Conquest is a live opponent with a good attitude who is likely to make the running.

Take no less than 7/1.

*Top price 12/1, average price 9/1 lowest 8/1

15:20 Ascot – Back Coastguard Station @ 5/1 1pt

This can go to Henry Oliver’s Coastguard Station, which has had a similar break to when a three-length second in this last year behind Martator, who is now rated 22lb higher. The selection is seven higher, but this is such a poor race that it’s undoubtedly the opportunity that connections hoped for when mapping his route back to this contest.

The nine-year-olds record after 50 days or more off the track is 122 over fences, and he is still relatively lightly raced in this sphere after 13 starts.

The headgear is on, and David Noonan gets on well with him while the drying ground is in his favour. This trip is too short for Kotmask on good ground, and Hypotenus and Third Time Lucki have yet to finish a race out for some time.

The selection will indeed be primed for this, and he can score and looks good value at 3/1 or bigger. Light N Strike is a good horse on his day, but he carries top weight and has been looking on the downgrade since returning from an absence.

*Top price 5/1, with three firms 9/2 with others.