totescoop6 Challenge Cup betting and odds

David O’Meara’s previous course and distance winner Smarty Socks currently shades favouritism for Ascot’s renewal of the totescoop6 Challenge Cup, writes Mikey Mumford. The seven-year-old won a valuable Grade 2 event at the track in early September and bids to follow up in Saturday’s 7f sprint. Winning connections will receive a share of the £150,000 pot and eighteen runners will head to post.

totescoop6 Challenge Cup betting tips

The Cheka After scooping a grade one event at Haydock in May he was beaten at odds on at the Curragh. Possibly the yielding ground proved his undoing that day and he was a decent third at Doncaster last time when he attempted to make all. He may have to adopt different tactics here but Eve Johnson Houghton’s runner is always prominent; each-way shout.

Hawkeyethenoo Done most of his winning on good to firm ground including over this course and distance in May. He was mightily disappointing here again after two months off when seemingly holding every chance 2f out. Last time he never got into the Ayr Gold Cup but booking of Kieren Fallon could help this time.

Eton Forever Lightly raced four-year-old who must overcome the draw from stall 1 if he is going to feature here. Raced predominantly over a mile and won over that distance at Doncaster a few runs back but a slight worry is he has yet to win over 7f. Not sure the drop back in trip is what he needs and has been beaten in his two attempts at this trip.

Nasri Made all at Hamilton last time in a very ordinary event and ran a cracker to finish fourth in the Stewards Cup when leading group on stands side before hanging in final furlong. A repeat of that performance would put him in with every chance.

Casual Glimpse Won at Goodwood three runs back but was poor when turned out a month later at the same venue. Ran an okay sort of race over a mile at Doncaster last time but needs to step up on that effort in this hotter company.

Smarty Socks Knows the game inside out and currently in some of his best form for a long time. His win here last time was impressive and showed he has the beating of a few of these rivals. Wouldn’t want the ground to run soft though and done much of his winning on good or firmer ground but a bold bid expected in follow-up.

Decent Fella Scored at Goodwood last time out after a couple of poor runs and he was fourth over this course and distance in June when the ground ran soft. Probably wants ground with a little bit of cut and connections will be hoping victory last time will boost confidence.

Golden Desert Another previous course and distance winner and sprung a bit of a surprise at racings headquarters last time when picking up a grade 2 event over 7f. Had been a little lacklustre before that finishing near the rear in some big field handicaps and will need to prove his win last time was no fluke.

A really competitive renewal and plenty with previous winning form at Ascot which should prove to be a big advantage. Smarty Socks is fully deserving of his favourite tag but it’s a tough ask asking him to follow-up and NASRI can take advantage. His fourth in the Stewards Cup was impressive and he has maintained a decent standard of form albeit in a weaker event at Hamilton. Golden Desert could be the one for the minor honours. [Mikey Mumford]

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