Declan Rix nominates 4 horses he will probably be preserving onside at Ascot on Saturday – reside 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 area of 11 staying chasers, a lot of them with their greatest days nonetheless forward, but it surely’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 wanting lazy and torpid, but it surely seems he has returned in first rate fettle this season, based mostly on his second to the very a lot in-form Copperhead at Aintree.
Whereas the ultimate margin of defeat says he was overwhelmed 14 lengths, Fortescue definitely formed so much higher than the space overwhelmed, 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 effectively, though he did go left at instances.
The son of Shirocco can hopefully take a pleasant step ahead when it comes to 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 observe can once more deliver 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 growing the prospect of him not sulking. Fingers crossed!
Fortescue and Hugh Nugent earlier than touchdown the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot
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-about for the race, if certainly she does not tackle State Man within the Morgiana Hurdle on Saturday at Punchestown (2.10).
That adverse is a constructive for this race nonetheless, when it comes to making the competition aggressive, regardless of the small area; 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 no less than does not have to hold a penalty; has proven he can run effectively recent up to now and is a much bigger value than the aforementioned pair. When it comes to uncooked capacity, he’s additionally the very best horse within the area judged on his 156-chase score.
Certain, he reverts to hurdles right here, however he strikes me as the kind of horse who can have little points with that, given fences have typically proved a contact daunting for him, particularly in these greater area races.
Hopefully Ascot get all of their forecast rain (6-8mm), simply to place extra emphasis on stamina for a horse who has gained 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 a very good 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 observe 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 perhaps a blessing in disguise given how recent and effectively he was early but it surely 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 steered 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 larger mark on the again of that good win.
Carrying 15lb extra in bodily weight makes this trickier when it comes to his leaping, however this area has a good few horses who’re in an identical boat, aside from Sans Bruit, who is an efficient correct leaper and one I’d 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 to be like 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 ft early, or at some stage.
Perhaps he might thrive on it, who is aware of, however he went effectively in mushy 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 probability attempting to concede that horse a pound on the day, and Saturday’s race appears to be like simpler.
That in fact is in principle as a result of whereas the opposition could also be extra beatable, situations might even see him battle, if he cannot adapt. It is fascinating connections select to return to such a giant observe 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 to your shortlist.
