Horse Racing Tips: Twiston-Davies team have the right Ticket

Jumps and all-weather racing holds sway across the UK and Ireland on Friday with five meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

First off is Uttoxeter before they go at Ascot, followed by three AW meetings at Southwell, Newcastle and Dundalk. Among our Friday fancies is an exciting novice chaser for Ben Pauling looking to get back to winning ways.

13:15 Ascot - Big Ticket @ 7/2

After a 16-length win in an Irish point-to-point in May, Big Ticket was bought for £155,000 and joined the Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies team.

He made a good impression on his debut in a maiden hurdle at Aintree in October, finishing second behind Marsiac. He stayed on well that day to press the leader on the run-in, so it was no surprise to see him step up in trip next time.

Up in both class and distance, he was sent off at 9/4 at Ascot and ran another strong race when second behind Etna Bianco, who looks an above-average prospect for Joe Tizzard. This four-year-old jumps and stays well, and if he can reproduce either of those efforts, his first win should not be too far away.

14:25 Ascot - Dance And Glance @ 5/1

Dance And Glance remains unexposed in handicaps and looked a horse to follow in his second season tackling them.

He won a novice hurdle at Taunton in March following wind surgery, beating the 117-rated Fasol from Paul Nicholls’ yard, before stepping into handicap company for the first time when finishing second to Bareback Jack at Bangor.

Anthony Honeyball then raised his sights for the Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock, where he was sent off the 5/1 favourite.

He could manage only fifth on that occasion, but it was a typically competitive renewal and he struggled to land a blow from the rear. Nevertheless, it was a fair effort given his limited handicap experience.

The five-year-old followed that with another solid run when chasing home the 130-rated Manuelito at Newton Abbot, where he looked to have a big chance two out before making a bad blunder. His most recent run at Ascot in November reads well, finishing fourth to Alexei, who has since been raised to a mark of 148 after winning the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Dance And Glance runs off the same mark as last time and has hinted that he has the ability to win a handicap from this rating.

If he can sharpen up his jumping, there should be further improvement to come, and he looks well worth taking a chance on.

15:00 Ascot - No Questions Asked @ 5/4

No Questions Asked was rated 138 over hurdles but has already bettered that mark in just two starts over fences. He made a successful chase debut at this track in November, jumping well throughout and winning comfortably.

Ben Pauling then stepped his seven-year-old up in trip and class on his second start in a competitive Grade 2 John Francombe Novice Chase at Newbury, where he caught the eye.

He travelled strongly throughout but couldn’t put the race to bed, being tapped for stamina by the strong stayer Wendigo.
It looked like he hit the front too soon that day and had no extra after the last, but the way he travelled through the race suggests the step back in trip will suit.

Ben Pauling has started the season well, and if No Questions Asked can jump and travel as well he did at Newbury, he will be tough to beat.

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