Saturday's Selection

Midnight Destiny was tardy at the start yesterday and that eventually cost her a place. She was bang there at the finish and it was a pity she didn't get a better start as I think she would have gone a lot closer with a decent start.

Reve De Sivola is the big story of the day as he tries to make history with a 4th win in the Long Walk Hurdle. It would be great to see the old boy do the business again but he won't have it easy with Saphir Du Rheu and Deputy Dan in opposition. It is a tough looking day for punters with most of the best horses waiting for the better prize money on offer over the Christmas period. However, there is one horse that I believe looks overpriced and he goes in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at 3.35.

Rayvin Black has been an admirably consistent performer for Oliver Sherwood and this 6yo son of Halling showed he belongs at this level with a superb effort behind Ebony Express in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last Spring. He was 2nd that day off a mark of 131 and when you add in the fact the ground was good to soft he deserves even more credit for that effort.

He returned to action this season with a decent effort in a listed hurdle when 10Lbehind The New One in receipt of 8lbs at Kempton on good ground. He followed that run with another admirable effort when conceding 8lb to Winner Massagot, who is among the market leaders for today's heat.
That effort came off a mark of 134 and the handicapper reacted by raising him 6lb to today's mark of 140. He is 3lb better off with the winner who was raised 12lb and on softer ground there is hope that he can turn the tables on that rival.

This 6yo son of Halling absolutely loves to get his toe in,and the conditions at Ascot will be right up his street. The verdict yesterday was that the ground was dead/gluey/hard work and that will be music to Oliver Sherwood's ears. This fella relishes a soft surface and has only failed to reach the frame on one occasion when it has been testing, and that was over 19.5f, a trip that stretches him. Now he has a couple of lengths to find with Winner Massagot but the weight difference should help in that regard. How Rayvin Black is 33/1 while the King horse is just 13/2 is beyond me and at that price he looks worthy of a little each way interest in what looks a wide open race.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 3.35 ASCOT-RAYVIN BLACK 33/1 E/W