How To Bet £20 on Saturday: Harrington's light can shine again

Altior will bid for a 17th consecutive victory over obstacles in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday which should be something for us all to get excited about.

However, with only four entries on Monday and Un De Sceaux declared a non-runner earlier in the week, the best jumps horse in training takes on just two rivals in the smallest field for a Grade One chase since the Scilly Isles won by Oscar Whisky in February 2014.

Some have suggested this race should revert to a handicap, but then would Nicky Henderson bring Altior here under top-weight for his final prep run before the Champion Chase?

The trainer sounded his doubts to Racing TV at Newbury on Wednesday.

Perhaps we are overlooking the fact that Altior has a very creditable rival in Fox Norton, a two-time Grade One winner who was only beaten a head in the Champion Chase two years ago.

Not seen for over a year because of a tendon injury, this can’t be billed as a match-up and trainer Colin Tizzard needs to get a run into the nine-year-old before the Cheltenham Festival, but if beaten a good way by Altior, it would nevertheless add further lustre to the champion’s exemplary record over jumps.

While Altior is not a betting proposition at 1/8 – a price that could contract further if anything – the following hopefully prove more attractive from a punting perspective.

On the formbook, Jessica Harrington's raider should be favourite. She opened up at 4/1 with Bet365 early this afternoon, but now takes her rightful place at the top of the market.

All the market principals have Listed form and are stepping into Grade Two company, but Magic Of Light looks to have the strongest form after a 14-length romp at Newbury last time.

A winner at the Punchestown Festival last season, she was a fine third on her reappearance after making a bad mistake down the back straight in the competitive Troytown Chase at Navan before impressing at the Berkshire venue.

Her profile looked the reason for an opening quote of 4/1, but she should probably be shorter than the 5/2 available.

She fares best at the weights on official figures and, while going back to the smaller obstacles is a question mark, that's diminished over three miles at Ascot and she still looks underestimated.

The market is dominated by Thosedaysaregone who was well supported at Wetherby last time for trainer Charles Byrnes.

He won well and his jumping particularly took the eye, but he will have to step up now rising in class and from a 9lb higher rating.

Seddon has fared with credit in two warm Grade Two novice hurdles on his last two starts, but we haven’t seen the best of him in slowly-run races.

While not thrown in, his rating of 137 looks fair on handicap debut and he is now up in trip for the first time which he will appreciate.

Even with the interesting favourite, he looks a tad over-priced.

This likeable six-year-old is the correct favourite for this Grade Two prize after an eye-catching Welsh Champion Hurdle win, a second in the Greatwood – which he arguably should have won - and his effort in the International last time when he again finished runner-up.

I can see him running well in a Champion Hurdle at a big price, and although this five-runner race off an uncertain gallop presents more of a puzzle, his forward progression ultimately looks the decisive factor.

The smaller field should help his jumping and, while not bombproof, he holds these on known form.

At 2/1 – and particularly 9/4 or more – he is of interest.

1.50 Ascot: Magic Of Light £10 win at a general 5-2

2.25 Ascot: Seddon £6 win at 9-2 with Unibet and Bet365

2.40 Haydock: Silver Streak £4 win at 2-1 with William Hill

£5 Trixie

1.50 Ascot: Magic Of Light (5-2)

2.25 Ascot: Seddon (9-2)

2.40 Haydock: Silver Streak (2-1)