For all of Punty's tips for Ascot, head to https://punty.ai/tips/ascot-2026-10-31

Rightio Legends, Ascot on a Soft 5 with the rail at +9m and a card that runs from 1000m to 2200m, and the speed is all over the shop. Half the card has a real pace fight brewing and the other half is sitting around waiting for someone to kick. Grab a coffee, because this one needs reading properly.

MEET SNAPSHOT

Track: Ascot, 1000m to 2200m card
Rail: +9m Entire
Official going: Soft 5 (Nil rainfall last 24hrs, 10mm last 7 days)
Weather: Fine, gusts 11.1km/h. Rain risk 40%+ chance at 23:00
Early lane guess: unknown pre-race, watch the first two
Tempo profile: Race 1 Slow, Race 2 Slow, Race 3 Moderate, Race 4 Moderate, Race 5 Hot, Race 6 Hot, Race 7 Moderate, Race 8 Genuine, Race 9 Moderate, Race 10 Moderate
Jockeys to follow:
Lucy F Fiore: Nine rides today, including Afireofgidgeecoals in Race 6 and I'm Nipote in Race 3. She's on the sharp end of the card.
Chris Parnham: Eight rides today, with Hot And High in Race 9 and Western Miss in Race 7. His 15.6% strike rate at this track is the best of the big riders on the card.
Brad Parnham: Five rides, including Talkanco in Race 8 and Aurum Belle in Race 6. He's a dangerous rider for the stables.
Stables to respect:
Michael Grantham (6 runners): Streamlined in Race 1, Like Clockwork in Race 4, Western Miss in Race 7 and Nicciana in Race 10. Six runners on one card is a stable with a plan.
Mitchell Pateman (6 runners): I Love Ya Money in Race 1, Hezangelic and Storm Away in Race 5, and Hansadios in Race 6. Plenty of pressure in the early races.
Simon Miller (6 runners): Horcrux in Race 4, Gaintree in Race 6, Madhi Girl and Twisted Steel in Race 8. Two of those in Race 8 means the stable is fighting for the middle of the pack.

Punty's take: Speed is the story at Ascot today, and it's sitting in the Hot races. Race 5 has five horses wanting to lead, with Hezangelic, Gi Gi Pops, Lucky I Am, Raw Umber and Anaconda Jones all on the map to find the front. Race 6 is another hot one, with Maria Lucia, Aurum Belle and Hansadios all in the front bunch. That's a race where the horses sitting just off the speed will be licking their lips. Race 8 is different. Dawn Dancer is the only horse on the map to lead, so it's a lone leader and a Genuine Pace, and that's a good thing for Dawn Dancer.

The bankers and the chaos sit side by side. Race 1 and Race 2 are slow-paced affairs where the market has already done the heavy lifting, while Races 3, 4, 7, 9 and 10 are the open, moderate-pace races where a horse in the right spot can make a fool of the favourite. Race 9 is the big one, with Hot And High at $1.98 and the market leaning heavily his way. Race 10 has Rock Fest at $1.70, which is a short price for a horse in a race where the pace suits him. I'm not chasing that price for the win, but I'm not running from it either.

What it means for you: Be aggressive in the places where the speed is clear and the favourites are shorter. The Race 1 and Race 2 favourites have the cleanest runs, so keep the stakes sensible there. Race 5 and Race 6 have a lot of speed in them, so look for the horses sitting handy. Race 8 is where the Talkanco play sits, and I'm backing it to win $8.50 because the shape is against him and the price still pays. Protect the Big 3 and let the sequences do the heavy lifting. The Big 6 is a lottery ticket, not a money-maker, so treat it as entertainment. Keep the Early Quaddie and Quaddie tight enough to be worth a punt without going mad.

PUNTY'S BIG 3 + MULTI

These are the three bets the day leans on.

1 - Hot And High (Race 9, No.4) — $1.98
Why The best win chance on the card by my numbers, and he's won seven from eight on good ground. Last start was a win at Ascot. The only question is the Soft 5, because there's no soft record in the data.
2 - Rock Fest (Race 10, No.1) — $1.70
Why Short, but the pace suits him and he's won his last start at Ascot. Barrier 3 gives him a clean run to the speed.
3 - I Love Ya Money (Race 1, No.3) — $2.55
Why Blinkers come off and winkers go on for the first time, and the market has moved him from $2.90 into $2.55. He's a genuine winner at Belmont Park and his last two runs at Ascot are placed.

Multi (all three to win): $10 × 8.58 = $85.80

Race 1 – Wittens Irrigation And Design

Race type: Rest 1 Metro Win, 2200m
Map & tempo: Slow pace on paper, with nobody mapping to lead. Dandy's Gem from barrier 2 is the likeliest to find the front. Quick Cookie and Capable Angel are drawn wide and will need cover or luck. I Love Ya Money sits midfield from barrier 5 and the shape is against him, but he has the form to handle it.
Punty read: I Love Ya Money is the bet, $7.50 on the win. Blinkers off, winkers on, and the market has already moved him from $2.90 into $2.55. He's a 2200m winner at Belmont Park and his Ascot form is placed. Streamlined is the danger, and he's a horse to watch. He's two from two on soft and his last start was a fourth at Ascot. Dark Looks ran second at Ascot last start, and Consolidated was eighth at Ascot with interference listed. Capable Angel is the roughie, and he's a Belmont Park winner last start, but he's one from 11 on soft.

Top 3 + Roughie ($7.50 pool)

1. I Love Ya Money (No.3) — $2.55 / $1.20
Bet $7.50 Win, return $19.13
Prob 36.0% | Place: 70.0% | Value: 0.92x Steady since tip
Why Gear change is the story. Blinkers off and winkers on first time, and the money has come for him. He's a Belmont Park winner and his Ascot form is placed.
2. Streamlined (No.1) — $3.00 / $1.25
Bet Tracked
Prob 30.2% | Place: 70.0% | Value: 0.91x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $1.25 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. Dark Looks (No.2) — $6.40 / $1.82
Bet Tracked
Prob 10.0% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.64x Steady since tip
Why Ran second at Ascot 2200m last start, and his 2200m form is solid. He's a place chance that the place price just isn't paying for.

Roughie: Capable Angel (No.7) — $9.00 / $2.20
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.0% | Place: 34.1% | Value: 0.81x Steady since tip
Why He won at Belmont Park 2100m last start at a grade 3 level, and he comes into this from a midfield draw at barrier 7. If the speed fights itself to pieces in the middle, he can run on.

Race 2 – TABtouch - Westspeed Platinum

Race type: Rst 0 Met Win-LY, 1400m
Map & tempo: Slow pace again, and nobody maps to lead. Street Band from barrier 5 and Zeezea from barrier 7 are the likeliest to find the front, and Zeezea has to work from the wide gate. Bondi's Future is drawn wide at barrier 8 and needs cover. Linchpin settles midfield from barrier 1, and that shape works against him.
Punty read: Linchpin is the bet, $10.50 on the win. He's a genuine top-class sectional horse, with the fastest time on the sectionals in the field, and he's won three from four on the distance. Bar plates on the hind legs and cross-over nose band off, both first time, are the gear changes to note. He's the favourite with a clean run from the inside. Bondi's Future is the danger. He's a 1400m winner at Ascot and placed at Lark Hill, and he's the one to beat if the favourite is caught behind a wall. Street Band is the one to watch if the speed goes straight through the top, and On Patrol is the roughie, coming from the back of the field with a fast finish.

Top 3 + Roughie ($10.50 pool)

1. Linchpin (No.5) — $2.65 / $1.25
Bet $10.50 Win, return $27.83
Prob 30.3% | Place: 70.0% | Value: 0.80x Steady since tip
Why Three wins from four at the distance is the best record on the card at 1400m. Ran second at Ascot 1200m last start, beaten 1.3L, and he has the sectional speed to find the line.
2. Bondi's Future (No.3) — $4.20 / $1.57
Bet Tracked
Prob 21.8% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.92x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $1.57 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. Street Band (No.2) — $5.50 / $1.75
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.1% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.78x Steady since tip
Why Placed at Ascot 1400m last start, and he's a fighter. Barrier 5 gives him a chance to take a sit behind the front.

Roughie: On Patrol (No.1) — $10.00 / $2.60
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.4% | Place: 32.7% | Value: 0.84x Steady since tip
Why He was held up at Pinjarra last start and beaten eighth. He's a backmarker with a finishing kick, so if the speed collapses at the top, he can come home.

Race 3 – Schweppes

Race type: Rst 0 Met Win-LY, 1800m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace, with Late Arrival from barrier 4, Admire Astra from barrier 12 and Billionaire's Row from barrier 7 the likeliest to find the front. Admire Astra is drawn wide and has to work to cross. The forward runners are the ones the expected pace suits best, and I'm Nipote settles back from barrier 9 where the shape works against him.
Punty read: I'm Nipote is the bet, $4.50 on the win. He won at Ascot 1600m last start, and the market has him as the favourite at $4.00. He's the one horse in this field that has the back-half run and the ability to finish. He's yet to win on soft (0 wins from 5), so Soft 5 is the question. Admire Astra is the danger from the front. She's a placed Ascot runner and handy from the outside. Alaskan is the one to watch from midfield, and Prince Epaulette is the roughie coming from barrier 10 with a strong closing record.

Top 3 + Roughie ($4.50 pool)

1. I'm Nipote (No.4) — $4.00 / $1.72
Bet $4.50 Win, return $18.00
Prob 19.7% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.79x Steady since tip
Why Ascot 1600m winner last start. He's had a finishing run to the line and he's placed in three of his last four. He does have three losses at weight 58 to 59kg, so keep an eye on that.
2. Admire Astra (No.2) — $6.40 / $2.25
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.3% | Place: 38.9% | Value: 0.79x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $2.25 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. Alaskan (No.5) — $6.40 / $2.25
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.2% | Place: 39.4% | Value: 0.78x Steady since tip
Why Ran sixth at Ascot 1600m last start, and he's a midfield horse who has the form to be running on at the finish.

Roughie: Prince Epaulette (No.7) — $11.00 / $3.30
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.4% | Place: 32.7% | Value: 1.04x Steady since tip
Why He's been held up and raced wide, and his last-start excuse is that he was wide at Northam. He has fast sectionals and runs on late, so if the pace is genuine, he's the horse who'll be running down the outside.

Race 4 – Choices By Dallimores

Race type: BenchMark 72+, 1200m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace, and Six Shooter from barrier 7 is the most likely to find the front, with September Born, Horcrux, In Confidence, Timeless Gem and Cinque Stelle all on the speed. Like Clockwork sits midfield from barrier 9, and the shape is against him. Exceed The Planet is also disadvantaged in the expected pace.
Punty read: Like Clockwork is the bet, $15.00 on the win. He's been a first-up machine (3 wins from 3 first-up), and he won at Belmont Park 1200m last start. He's the sectional standout on the card, with the fastest L600 and second-fastest L400. He's yet to win on soft (0 wins from 3), so today's ground is a question mark. In Confidence is the danger, with four wins from seven and a strong Lark Hill run last start. Cinque Stelle is one to watch, and Horcrux is the roughie from barrier 3.

Top 3 + Roughie ($15.00 pool)

1. Like Clockwork (No.9) — $2.74 / $1.32
Bet $15.00 Win, return $41.10
Prob 24.4% | Place: 61.8% | Value: 0.67x Steady since tip
Why He's the sectional standout and first-up dominant. He won at Belmont Park 1200m last start, and he's had the speed to finish over the distance. He's a back-half runner from a wide gate, but his finishing is too good to ignore.
2. In Confidence (No.6) — $4.20 / $1.60
Bet Tracked
Prob 23.1% | Place: 61.7% | Value: 0.97x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $1.60 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. Cinque Stelle (No.8) — $6.40 / $1.95
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.2% | Place: 45.5% | Value: 0.78x Steady since tip
Why Four wins from six and a 2nd-up record that is strong. He's on the speed from barrier 1 and he's a real danger if the front pair go out too hard.

Roughie: Horcrux (No.4) — $10.00 / $2.50
Bet Tracked
Prob 11.1% | Place: 38.9% | Value: 1.11x Steady since tip
Why He's the sectional standout of the on-speed runners and has the class to run the race on. Barrier 3 suits him, and the Ascot 1200m run last start was a bad trip, not a bad horse.

Race 5 – Mrs Mac's

Race type: Rest 1 Metro Win, 1100m
Map & tempo: Hot pace. Five horses want the lead, which means the early speed will be fierce. Gi Gi Pops from barrier 8 and Scream from barrier 9 are advantaged by the expected pace. Anaconda Jones leads from barrier 1, and the shape is against him. Storm Away is the one that suffers most from the expected pace.
Punty read: Anaconda Jones is the bet, $11.00 on the win. He's won his last two at Belmont Park 1000m, and he's got the sharpest sectional in the field. He's a leader from barrier 1, so the speed in the race is the problem. Delzee is the danger, a winner at Ascot 1200m last start who has the best place rate in the field. Spicy Thang is the other danger from midfield, and Storm Away is the roughie coming from the back.

Top 3 + Roughie ($11.00 pool)

1. Anaconda Jones (No.11) — $3.10 / $1.45
Bet $11.00 Win, return $34.10
Prob 23.3% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.72x Steady since tip
Why Two wins at Belmont Park 1000m in his last two starts, and his sectional timing is the fastest in the race. The shape works against him, but he's won the way the race will be run.
2. Delzee (No.7) — $5.20 / $1.95
Bet Tracked
Prob 18.3% | Place: 38.9% | Value: 0.95x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $1.95 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. Spicy Thang (No.3) — $4.60 / $1.85
Bet Tracked
Prob 17.5% | Place: 35.9% | Value: 0.80x Steady since tip
Why Ran second at Belmont Park 1200m last start, and the market is starting to respect him. He sits midfield from barrier 5 and should get a clean run.

Roughie: Storm Away (No.6) — $10.00 / $3.00
Bet Tracked
Prob 7.6% | Place: 24.1% | Value: 0.76x Steady since tip
Why He's a backmarker in a hot race, and that's the whole plan. If the five leaders go off like a bull at a gate, he can come down the outside, and he's got the sectionals to do it.

Race 6 – TABtouch - Placid Ark Prelude

Race type: Open, 1100m
Map & tempo: Hot pace with three leaders in Maria Lucia from barrier 5, Aurum Belle from barrier 7 and Hansadios from barrier 2. Afireofgidgeecoals sits handy from barrier 8, which is wide, so he has to work to cross, but the expected pace helps him.
Punty read: Afireofgidgeecoals is the bet, $8.50 on the win. Three leaders means the trail is perfect for him. He's got the fastest L600 in the field and placed at Ascot 1000m last start. He's won twice from six, and he's got the form to handle the trip. Aurum Belle is the danger from the front, a winner at Belmont Park 850m last start. Morning Thunder is the one to watch, and Maria Lucia is the roughie from the lead.

Top 3 + Roughie ($8.50 pool)

1. Afireofgidgeecoals (No.1) — $2.35 / $1.14
Bet $8.50 Win, return $19.98
Prob 32.6% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.77x Steady since tip
Why The pace is his, with three leaders and a race that's set up for the trail. He's been a placed horse at Ascot and Belmont Park, and the sectionals say he can finish. The barrier is the only concern.
2. Aurum Belle (No.3) — $3.60 / $1.32
Bet Tracked
Prob 23.6% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.85x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $1.32 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. Morning Thunder (No.4) — $7.40 / $1.95
Bet Tracked
Prob 12.3% | Place: 32.7% | Value: 0.91x Steady since tip
Why Placed at Belmont Park 850m last start and has a strong 1st-up record. He's a sit-handy horse from barrier 4, and that's a good spot.

Roughie: Maria Lucia (No.2) — $9.50 / $2.45
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.1% | Place: 24.4% | Value: 0.77x Steady since tip
Why She's a leader in a hot race, which is the wrong place for a 1100m winner, but if the pace collapses she can hang on for a place.

Race 7 – Drummond Golf

Race type: BenchMark 66+, 1600m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace with Noble Connection, Decoration, Redback Flyer, Ginger Green, I Dreamed A Dream, Western Miss and Audio Boy all wanting the speed. Western Miss sits handy from barrier 9, and the expected pace helps him. I Dreamed A Dream is the one the shape suits best.
Punty read: Western Miss is the bet, $10.50 on the win. The shape helps him, and he won at Ascot 1400m last start. He's two from three on soft and he's the best value in the race. Decoration is the danger, an Ascot 1600m winner last start who's placed at the trip. I Dreamed A Dream is the one to watch, and Audio Boy is the roughie from barrier 10.

Top 3 + Roughie ($10.50 pool)

1. Western Miss (No.9) — $2.05 / $1.17
Bet $10.50 Win, return $21.53
Prob 31.8% | Place: 70.0% | Value: 0.65x Steady since tip
Why He won at Ascot 1400m last start, and his soft record is two wins from three. Chris Parnham's strike rate at this track is strong, and the shape helps him from a handy spot.
2. Decoration (No.2) — $7.40 / $2.35
Bet Tracked
Prob 16.6% | Place: 38.8% | Value: 1.23x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $2.35 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. I Dreamed A Dream (No.8) — $10.00 / $2.75
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.4% | Place: 38.8% | Value: 0.94x Steady since tip
Why He's the horse the expected pace suits best, and he's placed at Ascot 1800m last start. He's got the sectionals to run down the field.

Roughie: Audio Boy (No.10) — $11.00 / $3.00
Bet Tracked
Prob 8.6% | Place: 32.7% | Value: 0.95x Steady since tip
Why He was seventh at Ascot 1400m last start and raced wide. If the speed collapses at the top, he can run on from barrier 4.

Race 8 – TABtouch - Prince Of Wales Stakes

Race type: Open, 1000m
Map & tempo: Genuine pace, with Dawn Dancer the only horse on the map to lead, from barrier 8. Twisted Steel and Pingers are on the speed, and Talkanco sits handy from barrier 1. The expected pace favours the forward runners, and Talkanco's shape is against him.
Punty read: Talkanco is the bet, $8.50 on the win. He's the form horse at this trip, and the sectionals say he's got the fastest L600 and L400 in the field. He's placed at Lark Hill last start. The shape is against him, but he's got the ability to get into the finish. Twisted Steel is the danger on the speed, and Immortal Bliss is the one to watch from midfield. Kraken Time is the roughie.

Top 3 + Roughie ($8.50 pool)

1. Talkanco (No.8) — $2.90 / $1.37
Bet $8.50 Win, return $24.65
Prob 30.2% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.88x Steady since tip
Why His sectionals are the fastest in the race. He's a Lark Hill 1050m placegetter last start and has a strong track record at Ascot. Barrier 1 gives him a handy spot.
2. Immortal Bliss (No.2) — $3.30 / $1.45
Bet Tracked
Prob 20.4% | Place: 45.7% | Value: 0.67x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $1.45 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. Twisted Steel (No.4) — $5.00 / $1.65
Bet Tracked
Prob 18.1% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.91x Steady since tip
Why He won at Belmont Park 1000m last start, and he's the fast-finishing type on the speed.

Roughie: Kraken Time (No.7) — $12.00 / $3.10
Bet Tracked
Prob 7.2% | Place: 24.1% | Value: 0.87x Steady since tip
Why He won at Ascot 1000m last start, which is a good sign on this track. Barrier 5 and the midfield run give him a path if the speed fights.

Race 9 – Hosemasters - Asian Beau Stakes

Race type: Open, 1400m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace with In Good Order from barrier 8, Hot And High from barrier 1 and Playin'it Sweet from barrier 5 the likeliest to find the front. Hot And High sits handy and the shape is against him, but In Good Order is the one the expected pace suits best.
Punty read: Hot And High is the bet, $15.00 on the win. He's the best win chance on the card, having won seven from eight on good ground. He's won his last start at Ascot 1200m and has the sectionals to run it out. The Soft 5 is a question because there's no soft record in the data. Playin'it Sweet is the danger, a placed horse on the speed, and Awesome Boy is the one to watch from midfield. Bonjoy is the roughie.

Top 3 + Roughie ($15.00 pool)

1. Hot And High (No.4) — $1.98 / $1.14
Bet $15.00 Win, return $29.70
Prob 37.9% | Place: 70.0% | Value: 0.75x Steady since tip
Why Seven wins from eight on good, and a strong record at this track. He's the one horse that has been impressive at the trip and the fastest on the sectionals. The shape is against him, but he's got the class to win it.
2. Playin'it Sweet (No.10) — $5.70 / $1.85
Bet Tracked
Prob 18.1% | Place: 53.7% | Value: 1.03x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $1.85 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. Awesome Boy (No.7) — $5.20 / $1.70
Bet Tracked
Prob 13.7% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 0.71x Steady since tip
Why Second at Ascot 1200m last start, and he's got the sectionals to run on from midfield.

Roughie: Bonjoy (No.1) — $11.00 / $2.65
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.2% | Place: 34.2% | Value: 1.01x Steady since tip
Why He was bumped and hampered last start at Ascot 1400m, and he's a strong class horse with a 2nd-up record that's solid. If the front runners get in each other's way, he can run through the middle.

Race 10 – Lawn Pride Australia

Race type: BenchMark 66+, 1400m
Map & tempo: Moderate pace, and Prince Of Dala from barrier 7, Stylish Lord from barrier 2 and Western Lady from barrier 5 are the likeliest to find the front. Nicciana from the wide gate has to work to cross. Rock Fest sits midfield from barrier 3 and the expected pace helps him.
Punty read: Rock Fest is the bet, $10.50 on the win. He's a short-priced favourite at $1.70, but the shape helps him and he won at Ascot 1200m last start. He's a one from one on soft and the sectionals say he's got the fastest time in the field. Prince Of Dala is the danger on the speed. He's placed at Lark Hill last start. Western Lady is the one to watch, and Fast Harry is the roughie.

Top 3 + Roughie ($10.50 pool)

1. Rock Fest (No.1) — $1.75 / $1.10
Bet $10.50 Win, return $18.38
Prob 36.9% | Place: 70.0% | Value: 0.65x Steady since tip
Why He won at Ascot 1200m last start and the shape helps him. Barrier 3 gives him a midfield spot with a clean run. He's short, but he's the one that can finish from the right place.
2. Prince Of Dala (No.4) — $7.00 / $2.00
Bet Tracked
Prob 14.6% | Place: 46.1% | Value: 1.02x Steady since tip
Why A real chance — but at $2.00 the place the numbers don't give me enough edge to insure with. Watching, not betting.
3. Western Lady (No.6) — $10.00 / $2.75
Bet Tracked
Prob 9.3% | Place: 38.8% | Value: 0.93x Steady since tip
Why She won at Lark Hill 1400m last start and has a strong record on good ground. She sits on the speed from barrier 5.

Roughie: Fast Harry (No.7) — $13.00 / $3.30
Bet Tracked
Prob 7.9% | Place: 32.7% | Value: 1.03x Steady since tip
Why He ran fourth at Ascot 1200m last start and has a strong closing record. If the pace stays honest, he can get into the finish from midfield.

SEQUENCE LANES

EARLY QUADDIE (R3–R6)

Smart: 4,5,2,7 / 9,6,8,4 / 11,7,3 / 3,1 (96 combos x $0.3646 = $35.00) -- 36.5% flexi
Punty's take: Races 3 and 4 are open, so the wide legs carry the ticket. Races 5 and 6 are tighter with Anaconda Jones and Afireofgidgeecoals up front. The flexi is 34.7% against a 30% floor, a solid outlay for a ticket with a lot of open legs.

QUADDIE (R7–R10)

Smart: 9,2,8,4 / 8,4,2 / 4,10 / 1,4 (48 combos x $0.4167 = $20.00) -- 41.7% flexi
Punty's take: Four legs with the favourites well priced up. Race 10 is the tightest leg, with Rock Fest at $1.70, and Race 7 has Western Miss at $2.04. The flexi is 37% against a 30% floor, which is the right kind of ticket for a banker-heavy sequence.

BIG 6 (R5–R10)

Smart: 11,7,3 / 3,1,4,2 / 9,2,8,4,10 / 8,4,2,7 / 4,10,7,1 / 1,4,6,7 (3840 combos x $0.001302 = $5.00) -- 0.13% flexi
Punty's take: This is an entertainment ticket, honestly. Race 5 is a single leg on Anaconda Jones, and the rest is wide open. The flexi is 0.17% against a 0.10% floor, so it clears, but only just.

NUGGETS FROM THE TRACK

1 - Blinkers off, winkers on
I Love Ya Money gets blinkers off and winkers on for the first time, and the market has moved him from $2.90 into $2.55. The gear change is a clear reason to take notice.

2 - Like Clockwork is perfect first-up
Like Clockwork is three wins from three first-up, and he's 20 days off for this run. The record says he's a first-up machine, and he's the sectional standout of the race.

3 - The Belmont Park 1000m double
Anaconda Jones has won his last two at Belmont Park 1000m, and his career is 2 wins from 5. He's a 1000m horse at heart, and he's got a sprint pedigree that's hard to ignore.

FINAL WORD FROM THE SICKO SANCTUARY

Ascot is a card full of pace fights and open races, so it's a day to be sharp and patient. Keep your tickets tight and your head clear, and let the favourites prove themselves before you go mad on the sequences.