Wishfull Thinking Tops Ante-Post Amlin Betting

There are eleven still in contention to start Saturday`s (22nd November, 14:05) Amlin 1965 Chase at Ascot with there being little to choose between those at the top of the ante-post market.

The experienced Wishfull Thinking, expected to be the eldest horse in the race at 11, is the current 3/1 favourite with a number of bookmakers whilst last year`s winner, Al Ferof, can be picked up at 10/3 with unibet.

Phillip Hobbs` Wishfull Thinking has an entry in the King George on Boxing Day with connections hoping for a positive run ahead of the Kempton spectacular. He can be backed at 33/1 (32red, 888sport, Coral, unibet) for post-Christmas glory.

The gelding had his first run of the season at Aintree in the Old Roan Chase on 25th October, finishing ahead of his 11 other rivals. A 14/1 shot on the day, long-time associate Richard Johnson worked hard to have Wishfull Thinking come from behind though eventually stayed on strongly to secure the result by 12 lengths.

What`s more, Hobbs` runner is taking a step down in trip, from two and a half miles to 19 furlongs, meaning that he should handle the distance should all be well.

Last year`s Amlin was something of a tactical affair with only two runners taking their places at the starting line. Al Ferof put his only rival, French Opera, to the sword and recorded a winning distance of eight lengths.

Connections of Al Ferof have chosen to try to capture back-to-back Amlin wins rather than try their luck over in the betfair Chase at Haydock Park. The grey hasn`t been seen since disappointing in the Ryanair Chase back in March and will be hoping for a touch of rain before the weekend. Paul Nicholls` raider has only won on ground of good or better once and that was back in 2011.

Bury Parade, who is also entered in the King George as well as next weekend`s Hennessy Gold Cup, is Nicholls` only other entrant so far and is being offered at 16/1 by most bookmakers.

An appearance on Saturday will be Bury Parade`s first start of the season, and should be better suited to the distance after being pulled up in Sandown`s bet365 Gold Cup over three and a half miles last time out.

The eight year old is another who is better suited to testing conditions and should go well for the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing team.

Also expected to be there or thereabouts is Rajdhani Express for the Nicky Henderson yard. The former Cheltenham Festival winner unseated cohort Sam Waley-Cohen early on in the Old Roan but should have shaken off his ring rust to go better on his second outing.

A classy horse suited by a front-running style, the seven year old is 5/1 with betfair and Betvictor as well as Skybet and unibet.

Two-handed Henderson should also be able to call upon last year`s runner up French Opera who will look to overturn some pretty uninspiring form to go one better this time round. A number of bookmakers have him at 16/1 to perform an unlikely reversal.

The other key player is likely to be Eduard from the Nicky Richards` stable. The Carlisle specialist is an 8/1 chance with bet365, Betfair and unibet after having secured second place in a listed race on his favoured course.

Six-year-old Eduard couldn`t defy top weight to justify favouritism over 20 furlongs though should be six pounds better off when stepping out at Berkshire. Also expected to line-up on Saturday are 10/1 (Numerous) shot and course and distance winner Fox Appeal, a two-mile Chepstow winner in Grey Gold who`s 16/1 (betfair, Stan James and Unibet) and Venetia Williams` Petite Rose, also 16/1 (Numerous).

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20/11/2014     © Frixo 2026