Ascot & Haydock

There wasn’t much racing this week with the weather getting the better of quite a few meetings, but we still had a couple go ahead on the weekend.

There was a small field in the opener at Ascot, with the race looking to be between the unbeaten Sporting John and Master Debonair. In the end it was all about one horse, that being Sporting John, he tracked Master Debonair throughout the race who didn’t jump very fluently. Sporting John took up the lead 2 from home and quickly put the race to bed before being eased down. This for me was an impressive performance and will see him bang in the mix in the Ballymore at Cheltenham.

Next was the Reynoldstown Novice Chase, this saw Sam Brown go off the favourite, but he like Pym who was 2nd in the market ended up being pulled up. In the end the race went the way of the Colin Tizzard trained Copperhead, he was always up with the race and travelling well, before taking up the lead 2 out before being ridden clear to win by 17 lengths. This was another impressive performance, which could see him having a say in the RSA or even the National Hunt Chase deepening on what route they want to take. 

The 3.00 was the handicap hurdle, and with keeping up the theme of impressive performances there was another in the shape of Nordano. He led for much of the race jumping well, before being kicked clear to go on and win by 16 lengths from Malaya who stayed on well to finish 2nd ahead of Eden Du Houx. Nordano winning was a nice little boost for the 2 at the head of the Triumph hurdle market, with him being easily beaten on his last 2 starts by Allmankind and Goshen.

Next was the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, which saw Cyrname looking for back to back successes, he led and was jumping well all the while being tracked by Riders Onthe Storm. Then with 3 to jump Riders Onthe Storm took up the lead easing past Cyrname, approaching the last Riders Onthe Storm had a different challenger in Traffic Fluide. He came there with every chance before falling at the last, leaving a beaten Cyrname in 2nd, who himself then fell at the last fence, thankfully they both got to their feet. Riders Onthe Storm eventually won by 14 lengths from Janika in 2nd. The Ryanair looks a possibility for the winner now but for me it would be hard to be overly confident in him, going into that race after a gruelling race here would not be ideal. 

At Haydock in the Victor Lundorum Juvenile Hurdle we saw Sir Psycho run out a ready winner for Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost. The pair led for most parts of the race jumping slickly out in front and in the end winning easily by 8 1/2 lengths from Rockadenn. It was a nice performance although I don’t think he beat much, but I could see him running into a place in the Triumph hurdle come March. 

The Grand National Trial was up next, this went to the outsider of the whole field in Smooth Stepper, he never really looked in the race till he started to make a move with a few to jump. Wasn’t until the last few strides that he got his head in front taking victory from Lord Du Mesnil, with Yala Enki well back in 3rd. The disappointment of the race was Elegant Escape, he wasn’t never fluent over his fences and eventually was pulled up before the 4th last.

Finally Ramses De Teillee took the Albert Bartlett novices Hurdle, he led for the whole of the race till the last where he wasn’t fluent and was headed by Kalooki, but he soon battled back and stayed on well to get his head in front again, eventually winning by 4 lengths. For me he is a main contender in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, he is unbeaten over hurdles this season and will be battle hardened unlike a few of his rivals.

Over in Ireland at Gowran, we saw Cilaos Emery win the Red Mills Hurdle, his jumping left a lot to be desired but he got the job done beating Darasso by 9 1/2 lengths. After the race Willie Mullins confirmed that he’s likely to be supplemented for the Champion Hurdle for which he’s best priced 8/1. He wouldn’t be for me, but in a year where there’s no stand out horse he’d have to have a chance.

Sunday at Gowran was the Boyne Hurdle, last season won by Tiger Roll at 25/1, this year he was much shorter and was sent off 8/1. But the race went the way of his stablemate Cracking Smart who beat Penhill by 4 lengths. Take nothing away from the winner but this race was mainly about Tiger Roll, although he finished 5th in the end it was a nice comeback run and all roads now lead to the Cross Country and hopefully a 3rd national. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this, next week we have action from Kempton involving the Grade 2 Adonis hurdle and the rescheduled Kingwell Hurdle.