In the second of our review pieces, we focus on the action on Friday and Saturday from Ascot and Haydock, with the Ascot hurdle and Betfair Chase the big races on the Saturday at those courses.
Both of those venues started their meetings on Friday with six good class races at each.
We will start our look back at Ascot on Friday, where we saw some nice prospects. Many Clouds created a good impression in winning the opening two and a half mile novice hurdle, confirming the form of his second to Gevrey Chambertin, who we will come to later, at Aintree. Restless Harry again appeared as if he didn't enjoy chasing when only fourth behind Minella Class, but it was the faller Shuil Royale who was running a belter when coming down at the last that caught my eye, and is sure to be winning sooner rather than later. Again Lordofthehouse showed his quirks and could only finish fourth behind Close Touch, owned by the Queen, who won under a penalty for Geraghty and Henderson. They teamed up again with Petit Robin, the former high class chaser, who has had a multitude of injuries, winning the finale, a handicap hurdle over two miles.
Up at Haydock, conditions were very testing. It was nice to see Kumbeshwar win again after a heavy fall at Kempton on his previous start, and for Wayne Hutchinson, a very good and under-used rider. Poungach won his first chase in game style, before Clondaw Kaempfer showed a nice turn of foot to score for McCain and Maguire, with the second Lienosus again shaping with lots of promise, and this former prolific pointer is sure to do well in the remainder of the season. I mentioned Gevrey Chambertin earlier, and he won a titanic battle with Corrin Wood all the way up the home straight in the two mile four novice hurdle, and both horses are worth watching when conditions are attritional.
To Saturday, and Ascot first again. The conditions were very wet and the ground deep, with some really not handling it at all. Lord Tomnoddy won well in the Novices Handicap Chase under a super cool Nick Scholfield, a class ride. If he can stay fit, then he could be one to follow in three mile handicap chases. Tweedledrum was given a corking ride by young Ben Poste, and it was great to see smaller connections with a Saturday winner at such a big track. The Amlin 1965 Chase has had some really good winners in the past, and a high class field lined up here, with Captain Chris proving victorious for Richard Johnson. It was a good performance by this former Arkle winner, and the King George will be next on his agenda. Finian's Rainbow detested conditions and this run can be forgotten. Oscar Whisky won easily in the Ascot Hurdle (Coral Hurdle), but where do you go with him? He could do with the Ryanair Hurdle, as two and a half miles is his best trip. William's Wishes was an impressive winner of the two mile handicap chase, returning after a big break but winning with the minimum of fuss, and the second Champion Court ran well in his prep run for the King George.
As for Haydock where I was, a competitive seven race card to look at. Balder Succes won readily in the opener, a horse that loves soft ground. Drama in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle as Double Ross looked very likely to make all until knocking the last down and checking his momentum, and eventually finishing fourth, as Yesyoucan scored from the fast finishing Black Thunder, a big eye-catcher, together with the third Poole Master, who's end of season target may be the Coral Cup. Ballyben caused a shock in the bumper, before Quartz De Thaix won off top weight in the three mile handicap chase. Dashing George pulled far too hard in that race and would have figured if he settled. Trustan Times was another top weight winner, this time in the Fixed Brush hurdle, with a couple of eye-catchers in behind. Sunnyhillboy ran very well, and is going to try and get himself handicapped for another go at the National in April. The other is Katkeau, who made a terrible blunder three out when still going well and is sure to find a race to win in the next few weeks.
Then for the big race, The Betfair Chase, and as the four time victor Kauto Star led the parade, it was a young horse from the same yard Silviniaco Conti who made all with a great round of jumping to score. Long Run ran well but again his jumping cost him dear, but I think Kempton is the time to get him in the King George. The Giant Bolster also ran well in third, holding Weird Al for that position by a short head. The three and a half mile handicap chase was a gruelling affair won by Monsieur Cadou under a great ride by Paddy Brennan, with Dusky Bob an eye-catcher back in fourth.
Sunday gave us just Navan in Ireland, but the hurdles debut of one of the most talked about horses on that side of the Irish Sea, and that horse is Don Cossack. He was impressive, jumping well and winning easily under Davy Russell. He stands at seventeen hands high, and whatever he does now will be a stepping stone for when he goes chasing next season.
I hope you have enjoyed this look back to the weekends' action, and if you have any feedback, either fill in the box below or tweet me @willbowler2k12
Will
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