Horsebetting.com experts’ tips for the Porsche Handicap at Ascot on Saturday, 28 July, say Escalator odds make him the bet to land the hat-trick. Corrosive looks a big danger in a wide-open 1m contest, while Crack On Crack On appeals each-way. For full details why read our in-depth 2018 Porsche Handicap betting tips preview.Upwardly mobile Escalator the Porsche puntEscalator has taken his form to a new level this season and looks worth a bet to defy a further rise in the weights to land the Porsche Handicap run over the straight mile at Ascot on Saturday (14:25). The Charlie Fellows trained three-year-old has proved a different proposition since going down the handicap route.
After overcoming a slow break to bolt up by 3 1/2 lengths in an 11-runner contest at Doncaster on return to action, the gelding had little difficulty following up at Newmarket off 6lb higher. Escalator was held up in the latter and, after taking up the running inside the final furlong, travelling powerfully showed a nice turn of foot when asked to score readily by 2 1/4 lengths.
It was a most taking display and he won with tons in hand. The assessor has put him up 10lb for that success, but a revised rating of 91 could still seriously underestimate the son of Cape Cross given his ultra-progressive profile. He looks the type that could well be still ahead of the handicapper and, after only five career starts, remains unexposed and open to further improvement.
Escalator is also two from three over the trip and relishes quick ground. So, taking everything into account, he looks a worthy favourite complete the hat-trick – despite the fact that this is by far his toughest assignment to date.Corrosive a major playerThere are plenty of dangers in this wide-open and competitive 15-runner affair, and the Hugo Palmer trained Corrosive is feared most following a string of solid efforts. This three-year-old won his first two starts this season in good style.
He was then far from disgraced over course and distance in the Britannia Stakes at the Royal meeting in June when five length 10th of 30 to Ostillo when keeping on well without having the pace to land a serious blow. That was a very hot contest and this is easier.
Corrosive has since had only one run and that came at Newmarket where he went down fighting by a head to Ripp Orf. He looked all over the winner when taking up the running inside the final furlong until getting headed in the final strides.
A 2lb rise for that fine effort looks more than fair and Corrosive now gets fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. That looks a shrewd move by connections judged on how he appeared to idle went hitting the front at Newmarket. With the in-form James Doyle also in the saddle, everything looks in place for a big run.Crack On Crack On a solid each-way contenderCrack On Crack On finished just over two lengths behind Corrosive when 13th in the aforementioned Britannia, but nothing went to plan and he now meets that rival on 2lb better terms. That gives him every chance of turning the tables, so makes him our each-way punt in this.
The Clive Cox trained colt lost stacks of ground when complete missing the break and quickly found himself playing catch-up with a mountain to climb to get back in contention. To his credit, Crack On Crack On stuck to the task really well when switched from the stands’ side rail to the middle to get racing room to be nearest at the finish.
Given how the race panned out it was a solid effort and, prior to that, he had looked one to keep onside when winning at Lingfield before making light of a 5lb rise to follow-up in the competitive 15-runner Silver Bowl at Haydock.
Crack On Crack On also dwelt at the start in the latter before making stealthy headway two from home and staying on powerfully inside the final furlong to win going away by 1 1/4 lengths from Completion. That is traditionally a strong contest; so, if getting away on terms, he looks sure to make his presence felt and has leading claims of making the frame at least.Your Next Bet