Declan Rix nominates 4 horses he can be maintaining onside at Ascot on Saturday – dwell on Sky Sports activities Racing – together with a flowery within the Ascot Hurdle.
FORTESCUE
2.05 – 1st Class Logistics Berkshire Nationwide Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+) – 3m5f94y
The inaugural operating of the first Class Logistics Berkshire Nationwide Handicap Chase has attracted a subject of 11 staying chasers, a lot of them with their greatest days nonetheless forward, nevertheless it’s the oldest horse within the line-up, FORTESCUE, who pursuits me most on the again of a highly-satisfactory seasonal debut 27 days in the past.
Now, I will be the primary to remain the 10-year-old not often convinces with how he travels in his races, usually trying lazy and torpid, nevertheless it seems he has returned in first rate fettle this season, primarily based on his second to the very a lot in-form Copperhead at Aintree.
Whereas the ultimate margin of defeat says he was crushed 14 lengths, Fortescue definitely formed quite a bit higher than the space crushed, clearly tying up on the run to 2out. Earlier than that nonetheless, Henry Daly’s inmate travelled a bit sweeter than he can do, on the primary circuit particularly, and jumped properly, though he did go left at occasions.
The son of Shirocco can hopefully take a pleasant step ahead by way of health for that effort, whereas Saturday’s step up in journey is one other plus, and any rain should not inconvenience. Fortescue’s final go to to Ascot in February of 2022, noticed him win a Listed chase off 142 (much less Hugh Nugent’s 5lb declare) so hopefully the Berkshire monitor can once more convey out the very best in him, racing off 133 (much less Hugh Nugent’s 3lb declare).
I simply hope he’s on a going day and is ready to construct into the race early, hopefully rising the prospect of him not sulking. Fingers crossed!
THUNDER ROCK
2.45 – Howden Ascot Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Ascot Hurdle) (4yo+) – 2m3f58y
Simply the six runners on this yr’s Ascot Hurdle and a disgrace Lossiemouth wasn’t thought of for the race, if certainly she would not tackle State Man within the Morgiana Hurdle on Saturday at Punchestown (2.10).
That detrimental is a optimistic for this race nonetheless, by way of making the competition aggressive, regardless of the small subject; the race penalty construction which means all of Blueking d’Oroux, Salver and Golden Ace carry further weight.
Blueking d’Oroux tops the weights in attempting to win back-to-back Ascot Hurdles, however this yr comes right here with out a prep run; as a relaxed sort of horse, will he enhance for the outing? On the again of pulled muscle setback final month, is Golden Ace additionally susceptible on her first run of the marketing campaign?
THUNDER ROCK additionally comes right here with out a prep-run, however not less than would not have to hold a penalty; has proven he can run properly recent previously and is an even bigger worth than the aforementioned pair. When it comes to uncooked skill, he’s additionally the very best horse within the subject judged on his 156-chase ranking.
Certain, he reverts to hurdles right here, however he strikes me as the kind of horse who may have little points with that, given fences have typically proved a contact daunting for him, particularly in these greater subject races.
Hopefully Ascot get all of their forecast rain (6-8mm), simply to place extra emphasis on stamina for a horse who has received over ~3m earlier than.
MARTATOR
3.20 – Lay & Wheeler Hurst Park Handicap Chase (Class 2) (4yo+) – 2m167y
The penultimate race on Saturday’s card is a aggressive Class 2 handicap chase with 9 runners, however hopefully MARTATOR can proceed what was Friday for the Venetia Williams crew and win once more at Ascot.
The forward-going son of Martaline is 2 for 2 over fences on the monitor since becoming a member of the Williams crew from France, together with a easy victory right here 21 days in the past, regardless of being badly squeezed out on the first fence.
That was possibly a blessing in disguise given how recent and properly he was early nevertheless it nonetheless did not cease him from half-carting Charlie Deutsch right into a extra distinguished place mid-race, the pair making a decent-sized transfer to trace the tempo earlier than Swinley Backside.
Whereas it was a run that prompt his leaping nonetheless wants extra work, a good engine is clearly intact and with Ned Fox claiming 5lb, Martator primarily races from only a 1lb greater mark on the again of that good win.
Carrying 15lb extra in bodily weight makes this trickier by way of his leaping, however this subject has a good few horses who’re in the same boat, aside from Sans Bruit, who is an efficient correct leaper and one I might respect.
BEST LIFE
3.50 – Copybet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) (4yo+) – 3m97y
Ought to Ascot get all of the forecast rain – the extra the merrier the place this man is anxious – BEST LIFE nonetheless appears a well-handicapped horse off 104 for the Mel Rowley crew.
Saturday, nonetheless, will definitely be the quickest floor he has raced on in his younger profession, and it would not be the most important shock to see him taken off his toes early, or at some stage.
Possibly he might thrive on it, who is aware of, however he went properly in tender situations final season, ending his marketing campaign with a profession greatest at Haydock behind One Huge Bang, who’s now rated 124. It is truthful to say Greatest Life had little likelihood attempting to concede that horse a pound on the day, and Saturday’s race appears simpler.
That in fact is in principle as a result of whereas the opposition could also be extra beatable, situations may even see him wrestle, if he cannot adapt. It is attention-grabbing connections select to come back to such a giant monitor nonetheless, solely Rowley’s fourth ever runner, and the reserving of Nico de Boinville catches the attention.
Ought to the rain come, he’s one on your shortlist.
