Ascot & Haydock

Another quiet week but there was still some star performers who could well take centre stage at the festival.

We will start at Ascot with the Juvenile hurdle, this saw the Gary Moore trained Goshen go off 1/5 favourite, he led like he usually does till the 3rd flight of hurdles where he then swapped places with Manucci. This was unusual as on his previous two starts over hurdles Goshen has gone on and made all the running, this may well of been a change of tactics just to try something different with him and try to teach him to settle. He was being briefly niggled along before going clear 2 from home, at the final 2 hurdles he jumped out to his right which he had done in his previous starts, this didn’t stop him winning by 11 lengths in the end. He is currently joint 6/1 favourite for the Triumph hurdle at Cheltenham, but I’d be slightly worried about his jumping out to the right, although this could stop given a fast pace and a big field come March. Myself I’d still be favouring the Skelton trained Allmankind for this race.

(Goshen and Manucci jumping 3 out, credit Michael Harris)

The Grade 3 Handicap hurdle saw Bold Plan just go off favourite although his race didn’t get very far with him falling at the 3rd flight. The race in the end went the way of Thomas Darby who was making his return to hurdles after a couple of defeats over fences. He was always thereabouts behind the leaders before taking up the lead after 2 out, where he kept on strongly winning in the end by 1 length. It was a good return to hurdles and he still holds an entry in the Champion hurdle for Cheltenham but Olly Murphy has stated that they may well wait for the Aintree hurdle for him instead.

The main event on the Ascot card was the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase, which saw the rematch of the Tingle Creek first and second in Defi Du Seuil and Un De Sceaux. Un De Sceaux jumped out in front like he usually does jumping well with Defi Du Seuil tracking him throughout. Just before the turn in for home Un De Sceaux poached another length, but approaching the 2nd last this was quickly wiped out, as Defi Du Seuil came cruising upsides and jumped past him. Quickening clear effortlessly putting in a brilliant jump at the last to seal the race. This was a brilliant performance from Defi Du Seuil, the race ultimately was set up for him with Un De Sceaux not making it a strong pace, meaning it came down to who the the better turn of foot. It will be hard to oppose Defi Du Seuil in the Champion Chase for which he is now the clear 2/1 favourite but I’m sure Altior wont give up his crown without a fight.

Meanwhile over at Haydock and the Peter Marsh Handicap chase and it was good to see Vintage Clouds get his grey head in front for the first time in over a year. It was a brilliant round of jumping, he was always to the fore of the field before taking up the lead at the 8th fence and just galloping himself further clear. Eventually going on to win by 7 lengths to Definitly Red, he clearly likes Haydock with that being his 3rd win at the track. After the race his connections reported that he will not being going to The Grand National again this year and could possible head to the Ultima at Cheltenham where he finished a close 2nd last year.

Next up was The New One Unibet hurdle, it was fitting that the race went the way of The New Ones connections with Ballyandy getting the better of Pentland Hills in a photo finish. That doesn’t tell the whole story, Pentland Hills once again just like he did in the International Hurdle travelled like the winner. Sitting off the pace behind Cornerstone Lad, he took up the lead over the last but once again, when asked to go and seal his race his engine looked to empty allowing Ballyandy to get up on the line. I think good ground will see Pentland Hills in a better light, but ultimately I’d still be worried about how quickly he seems to be able to go from looking the winner to paddling. You’d probably have to say the one that came out the race with most credit was Cornerstone Lad, giving away weight to Ballyandy and Pentland Hills and still rallying back after headed to finish 3/4s of a length 3rd

On the Wednesday we saw the highly regarded Henderson trained Shiskin making his 2nd start over hurdles having fell on debut. He jumped well following the leader Shakem Up’Arry, they were both going well approaching two from home, with Shiskin taking up the lead over the last. He was given a flick by Nico De Boinville and quickly put the race to bed in impressive fashion, going on to win by 11 lengths. The way he quickened clear so easily and beating what looks a decent horse in Shakem Up’Arry saw him go to 6/1 for the Supreme at Cheltenham and its hard to see many horses dealing with him if he was able to reproduce this performance come March.

With the Cheltenham Trials meeting being this Saturday, I thought I would bring back the return of the head to head, hopefully they go a bit better than last time, selections below with the NAP in bold:

12:40;

Aaron: Rowland Ward (9/4)

Sam: Monte Cristo (11/10)

1:15;

Aaron: Imperial Aura (11/4)

Sam: Champagne Court (6/1)

1:50;

Aaron: Spiritofthegames (11/2)

Sam: Spiritofthegames (11/2)

2:25;

Aaron: Bristol De Mai (9/4)

Sam: Top Ville Ben (15/2)

3:00;

Aaron: Protektorat (7/2)

Sam: Harry Senior (9/2)

3:35;

Aaron: If The Cap Fits (3/1)

Sam: Paisley Park (4/6)

4:10;

Aaron: Sofia’s Rock (3/1)

Sam: Northern Beau (9/2)

Thanks again for taking the time to read this, will be back in a week to look over the Trials day results and the SkyBet Chase card at Doncaster, as well as what else catches my eye.