13:15, Karen Codd Novices' Handicap Hurdle
Mount Gay Run 4/1, 2pts win
The Dan Skelton trained Mount Gay Run makes a big step up in distance but he was running on strongly at the line on seasonal debut last time out and the new trip promises to bring about improvement. 12 months ago the 7 year old ran well at Listed level and a mark of 113 could be lenient.
///
13:50, Howden Handicap Chase
Bad 4/1, 2pts win
This is a mightily competitive race and plenty have chances but it could just be that Bad is improving too fast for the others. Now off a career high mark of 144, he will need to continue to progress but he's looked a better horse already this year and ran a cracker at Cheltenham last time out on ground that was plenty soft enough. He's now back on a right handed track and at the age of 6 he should still be coming into his prime.
///
14:25, Howden Long Walk Hurdle
Potters Charm 13/2, 1.5pts each-way (3 places)
A fair renewal of the Long Walk sees J P McManus have a strong hand with the front 2 in the market. Gordon Elliot runs Honesty Policy who won a grade 1 at Aintree in the spring. This is his first run of the season however and could be vulnerable in a hot race. Perhaps it will pay to side with the Twiston-Davies' up and coming Potters Charm. The 6 year old was sweeping all before him this time last year before going missing a bit in the new year. After a mishap early on at Wetherby he ran a cracker behind Woodhoo and Celtic Dino over a trip too short last time out but it was a decent effort and he ran on well to the line. Totally unexposed at the trip and could be the answer.
///
15:00, Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase
Johnnywho 6/1, 2pts win
Hyland 10/1, 2pts win
The big handicap chase of the day brings together plenty of in form horses and plenty on recovery missions. Pic Roc is totally unexposed but the market has contracted his price so it could be time to chance a couple in search of a return to form. Johnnywho narrowly failed at the Cheltenham Festival in March and ran a stormer to finish 5th in the Irish Grand National after that. Ran well to finish in the same position over a trip too short at Aintree last time out (at a time when the stable was under a cloud) and could now take a step forward for that outing. Still looks like a big win is incoming and this is more his trip. Hyland is another who is looking to bounce back to form but now finds himself 4 pounds lower than when 2nd in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Kempton in February. He never got into the race at Cheltenham in October but put in a better round at Newbury last time out. He may appreciate being back on a right handed track given he's run well at Kempton and the stable seem to be going better now.
///
15:35, Ascot Rotary Club Festive Handicap Hurdle
Fiercely Proud 8/1, 2pts win
One of the hottest renewals of this race for a couple of years and it sees potential Champion Hurdle dark horse Alexei head the weights. He's been clobbered by the handicapper for bolting up in the Greatwood last time out but still has a big chance here if continuing his progression. Mondo Man is at the other end of the weights and looks ready to go close but there has to be a worry over his temperament. As such it could be that last year's winner Fiercely Proud is the one to side with. A bit higher in the weights 12 months on but he was clear with the runner up that day (decent horse) and ran a lovely race at Cheltenham last time out behind Alexei with whom he is now 9 pounds better off with. Clearly likes the track and the stable continue in good nick.
No comments:
Post a Comment