Coral Ascot Hurdle 2010

2.35 Ascot
Coral Hurdle (Registered As The Ascot Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £50,697

Pick: Zaynar (win)

Ashakzar: Tricky but very talented hurdler (won Grade 2 over hurdles; fancied for Champion Hurdle off back of that) and had decent season last year, when winning twice in April, including in listed company; On ‘going’ day, major player, but hard to know if he is.

Zaynar: Unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile (one here, won Triumph) and came into Champion Hurdle picture with impressive win in this race last year; Won Reelkeel doing handstands and performed with credit when third in Champion and Aintree Hurdles, looking like 3 miles would be ideal distance; One to beat although laziness is a massive worry.

Restless Harry: Became one of most likeable horses in training last season, dotting up in smart Cheltenham Novice Hurdle before running titanic race in Albert Bartlett (dotted up last time seen last year); Ran a very pleasing race considering that he was left 10 lengths behind at the start (beaten only 11 & ½ lengths in the end) in Silver Trophy; Will strip much fitter for that, trip should suit, and major player.

Silviniaco Conti: Has yet to be beaten in four outings, dotting up on all occasions (has an aggregate victory distance of 54 lengths) and would have to be feared based on 10 lengths slamming of useful Captain Chris last time out; Every chance and seriously respected.

Won In The Dark: Grade 1 winner who performed with credit last season(won twice) and fourth in Aintree Hurdle; Runs well fresh but likely few of these will either prove too good (Zaynar ahead on all form) or progress past him.

Black Jack Blues: Has made all of the running in 4 of his 5 wins (and useful second at Aintree in big handicap hurdle) but not so good when taken on and this grade looks too high for him anyway.

Karabak: Progressed well last season, scoring emphatically prior to fine second to Mikael D'Haguenet at Cheltenham in Ballymore Novice’s Hurdlebefore being well beaten by Zayanar in this race last year; Got three miles really well when running great race to finish second to Big Buck’s in Long Walk hurdle and also to finish fourth in World Hurdle, so disappointing that he bombed at Punchestown afterwards; On 7lbs better terms than last year with Zaynar, so every chance (esp with yard in form).

Lough Derg: Not been so good recently (winner of Long Walk Hurdle, major handicap hurdle and Ascot Hurdle here at his best) and not completely out of it on going day (much like other stable runner Askahazar) but hard to recommend.

VERDICT: Another good renal which should tell a lot about some major players this season in the middle –distance/ staying divisions. ZAYNAR looked like a 3 miler in waiting when third in the Champion and Aintree Hurdles and while a tendency to race very lazily at times and big weight are worries, he’s a worthy favourite and will be very hard to beat. On 7lbs better terms for a 6 length beating Karabak is a major threat; His yard are in much better form this season than last and he held himself up with credit last year. Unbeaten novice Silviniaco Conti must be respected coming here, especially as there could have been easier targets and he comes from a yard that knows the score; On that note Restless Harry should play a hand; He was a Grade 2 winner last year and would have gone close in the Neptune had he ran.