My first visit to Ascot and it’s a fantastic card in order for United House Gold Cup Day, with many good horses running.
The opening Novices Handicap Hurdle (1.50) is a good race for punters with five of the last eight favourites winning so close attention should be paid to the market. This should prove helpful for supporters of Lively Fling, who’s likely to go off close to the head of the market. It would be no surprise if he were to win this on his way to better things, but this isn’t the type to get too involved with early and I’d rather have a couple of each/way flyers. Handicap debutant PUERTO AZUL makes plenty of appeal for the in-form Oliver Sherwood yard following on from an interesting run when lightly handled last time. LIKE A HURRICANE has run three good races since winning a maiden hurdle at Fontwell in March and he was entitled to need his recent run when third at Uttoxeter earlier in the month. A switch to handicapping looks like a good move and he could take a big hand here.
The Ascot Underwriting Beginners' Chase (2.25) is a good race, with four likely winners to me. An honourable mention is given to Cois Farraig, who came close to Lush Life (ahead of Menorah) and Oscar Whisky (who was fourth in the Supreme Novice’s Hurdle). This is a stiff task on his chasing debut.
The next one to be previewed, is Othermix. On his 50/1 2nd in the Jewson Novices Handicap Chase, he would win and in well here but he was on a lenient weight and the fact that he had failed to win in 3 easier opportunities beforehand doesn’t help his profile. At the odds, he’s passed over.
With Country Zen needing to improve a bit (even allowing for the fact he’s improved for a breathing operation based on his only win last year)this would turn into a match between Radium and PAUSE AND CLAUSE, with the latter taken to come out on top due to his race – fitness and jumping experience this season. He jumped better as race wore on when second in Market Rasen novice chase on return and should be more to come, not to mention he’s actually 6lbs better off with Radium based on their meeting at the festival last season.
The Cushman & Wakefield Novices' Hurdle (For The John Travers' Memorial Trophy) (3.00) is another useful looking event. Considering that he was seventh in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, Fiulin should have made a better fist of his return at Cheltenham. Things are different today, with AP on aboard and in receipt of a lot of weight.
Recession Proof was an impressive winner on his jumps bow at Carlisle, Organisateur has won three of his four races for Paul Nicholls by a combined total of 37 lengths but his defeat by Astaracad in a handicap on his seasonal return suggests that he has his limitations and DUNRAVEN STORM wasn’t asked a single question to land the odds on his hurdling debut and can go close at the least here, having more in the locker for the in – from Hobbs yard (only beaten in Champion Bumper)
The williamhill.com Handicap Hurdle (Listed) (4.15) sees a top novice from last year return. If connections have any serious ambitions for GET ME OUT OF HERE in the Champion Hurdle or the Arkle, then he will win this off 150. Alsadaa, Oldrik and even Gilded Age may be in the grip of the handicapper while Tocca Ferro does have something to prove following his Imperial Cup blank, even if he has got excuses and is unexposed.
Yet another good listed is race in run at 4.45 in the shape of the Byrne Group Handicap Chase. You’re The Top made a pleasing reappearance over 2m5f at Cheltenham earlier this month and is entitled to strip fitter with that run under his belt but he has some decent types in attendance to deal with.
SIZING AFRICA could have been a useful novice chaser 2 years ago but injury curtailed that. He’s been slowly brought back and shaped well on just his second run in as many years and is a fascinating contender if this doesn’t come too soon afterwards.
OISEAU DE NUIT unseated on his recent return at Cheltenham when You’re The Top was fourth, but he'd travelled smoothly until 3 out on that occasion and this drop back in trip should be in his favour today.
And finally in the last (5.25) HEATHER ROYAL created a favourable impression when making a winning start to her career at Bangor in May and, with plenty more to come should be hard to beat despite a penalty.
Recommendations
1.50 Ascot
0.5 pts each/way Peurto Azul
0.5 pts each/way Like A Hurricane
2.25 Ascot
1 pt win Pause And Clause
3.00 Ascot
2 pts win Dunraven Storm
4.15 Ascot
3 pts win Get Me Out Of Here
4.50 Ascot
1 pt each/way Sizing Africa
4.50 Ascot
1 pt each/way Oiseau De Nuit
5.25 Ascot
2 pts win Heather Royal
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