Declan Rix has named four horses to keep at Ascot on Saturday. sky sports racing – Including the fantasy of the Ascot Hurdle.
FORTESCUE
2.05 – Grade 1 Logistics Berkshire National Handicap Chase (Class 2) (5yo+) – 3m5f94y
The first race of the 1st Class Logistics Berkshire National Handicap Chase attracted 11 staying chasers. Many of them have their best days yet ahead of them, but they are the oldest horses in the lineup. FORTESCUEHe’s the one drawing the most attention thanks to a very satisfactory season debut 27 days ago.
Now I’ll be the first to say I’m not nearly as sure about how a 10-year-old boy is traveling in his race. Although he often looks lazy and lethargic, he appears to have returned with some decent results based on his second appearance in the competition this season. A very informative Copperhead at Aintree.
The final margin of defeat says he lost by 14 lengths, but Fortescue clearly looked much better than the distance he lost, tying the score with two out. But before that Henry Daly’s prisoner traveled a little sweeter than he was capable of, especially on the first circuit, and although he went left at times, he ran well.
Hopefully the son of Shirocco can make good progress in terms of fitness for the effort. On the other hand, the footfall on Saturday’s trip is another plus and any rain should not be an inconvenience. Fortescue’s last visit to Ascot in February 2022 saw him win the Listed chase at 142 (less than Hugh Nugent’s 5lb claim). So hopefully the Berkshire track can get the best out of him by having him race at 133 (less than Hugh Nugent’s 3lb claim) again.
I want him to be able to move forward and get into the race early to increase his chances of not sulking. Fingers crossed!
Fortescue and Hugh Nugent before the start of the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot.
Thunder Rock
2.45 – Howden Ascot Hurdle (Year 2) (registered as Ascot Hurdle) (4yo+) – 2m3f58y
Six runners in this year’s Ascot Hurdle and Lossiemouth were not considered for the race. Indeed, unless she takes on State Man in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (2.10) on Saturday.
However, these negatives are a positive for this race in that they make the event competitive despite the small field. Race penalty structure, meaning the entire Blueking d’Oroux; ointment Golden Aces carry extra weight.
blue king steal I’m trying to win back-to-back Ascot Hurdles, but I came here unprepared this year. Would it be suitable for an outing as a comfortable horse? After my muscles contracted last month, golden ace Are you vulnerable even on the first run of your campaign?
Thunder Rock Also, you came here without a prior launch, but at least you don’t have to incur a penalty. He has shown in the past that he can run well and is priced higher than the aforementioned pair. In terms of raw ability, he is also the best horse in the field, as judged by his 156 chase ratings.
Sure, he goes back to the hurdles here, but given that fences are sometimes a struggle for him, especially in bigger field races, he strikes me as the type of horse that has little problem with that.
Let’s hope Ascot gets all the rain expected (6-8mm) and puts more emphasis on the fitness of horses who have previously won by ~3m.
Martator
3.20 – Ray Ann Wheeler Hurst Park Handicap Chase (Class 2) (4yo+) – 2’167
The second race on Saturday’s card is a competitive Class 2 Handicap Chase featuring nine runners. Martator Venetia Williams can continue what has been a good Friday for the team and get back to winning ways at Ascot.
The forward-thinking son of Martaline has gone 2 for 2 over fences on the track since joining the Williams team in France. Despite being heavily squeezed at the first fence, he cruised to a comfortable victory here 21 days ago.
Considering how fresh and fit he was, it may have been a blessing in disguise, but it still didn’t stop him from taking Charlie Deutsch into a more prominent position mid-race. The two made good sized moves to keep track of their speed. Before Swinley Bottom.
It was a run that suggested his jump still needed more work, but the fair engine was clearly intact and with Ned Fox claiming 5lb, Martator races on the heels of an essentially good win, just 1lb higher.
Carrying 15 pounds more weight makes this more demanding in terms of jumping, but there are significantly fewer horses in this field that ride in similar boats. without noiseHe is a good, accurate jumper and someone I will look up to.
best life
3.50 – Copybet Beginner’s Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) (4yo+) – 3min97
If Ascot gets all the rain predicted – the better this guy is worried – best life Mel Rowley’s team’s Route 104 still looks like a handicapped horse.
But Saturday will certainly be the fastest ground of his young career, and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see him get off to an early start or at some stage.
Perhaps he could have made it, but he fared well in weak conditions last season and finished the campaign with a career-best finish at Haydock following One Big Bang, who is now rated 124. It’s fair to say that Best Life had little chance of trying. Giving that horse a pound that day will make Saturday’s race seem easier.
Of course, this is theoretical. This is because the opposing team may win more easily, but he may suffer if he does not adapt to the situation. An interesting connection chose to come to such a big track, but only Rowley’s fourth runner attracted attention, with Nico de Boinville’s booking catching the eye.
If it rains, he’s one of your finalists.
