Free Horse Racing Tips & Best Bets for Ascot 16/12/2023

Is a choice for those who enjoy backing a dark horse. Her recent maiden victory in Pinjarra was a display of both skill and potential. Holly Watson, who’s on board this weekend, is known for her strategic riding. I anticipate she’ll aim for an early lead from barrier one, setting the race’s pace. If Full Of Merit can maintain control in the mid-section of the race, she could be incredibly difficult to catch in the final stages. This race could be a perfect opportunity for her to prove her worth and showcase her capabilities on a bigger stage

Last weekend, he showed real guts when stepping down from Group 3 level to a 1600m Benchmark 78+, finishing strongly behind the in-form Starry Heights. This week, he’s racing in a Benchmark 72, a drop in class that suits him, but with only a slight increase in weight. What’s exciting about Billy Ray is his ability to consistently perform at Ascot, and with Michael Poy in the saddle again, I’m expecting a savvy ride. Poy is likely to navigate Billy Ray into a mid-field position early on, which should set them up nicely for a strategic play in the final stages of the race

She really caught my attention in her last race. She made an impressive comeback from the back of the pack to snatch second place in the Jungle Dawn Classic. There’s a tactical flexibility to Rusty Dreams that I find compelling – she can either take an early lead or storm from behind. This race’s dynamics, with limited speed competition, might just play into her hooves. Damien Lane, an adept jockey, could make a crucial difference by placing her just ahead of the pack early on. This strategic positioning could be the key to Rusty Dreams turning her recent near-misses into a win​

Devine Belief is a mare that has been on my radar since her commanding win over 1000m earlier this month. She’s shown that she can step up her game when it matters, and the increase to 1100m in this race seems tailor-made for her. What I particularly like about Devine Belief is her performance when racing second-up; it’s an area where she really shines. With Damien Oliver taking the reins, I’m expecting a calculated approach, with Oliver likely to position her just behind the leader before making a decisive move in the final stretch. This could be her moment to showcase her full potential​