Declan Rix nominates the four horses he has to keep at Ascot on Saturday, live Sky Sports Racing – including a fantasy in the Ascot Hurdle.
FORTESCUE
2.05 – Grade 1 Logistic Berkshire National Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (5yrs+) – 3m5f94y
The opening running of the Grade 1 Logistics Berkshire National Handicap Chase has drawn a field of 11 regular chasers, many of whom have their best days ahead of them, but is the oldest horse in the line. FORTESCUEwho I’m most interested in following a very satisfying season debut 27 days ago.
Now I’ll be the first to stick around, the 10-year-old rarely convinces with how he travels in his races, often looking sluggish and unwell, but he appears to be back in decent form this season, coming off his second season. : very informed at Copperhead at Aintree.
Although he was said to have been beaten by 14 lengths, Fortescue was certainly in much better shape than the winning distance, clearly combining for 2. Until then, however, Henry Daly’s prisoner was traveling a bit sweeter , than he could do, especially on the first lap, and jumped well, although he sometimes went left.
The son of Scirocco can hopefully make a good step up in terms of form for that effort, while the boost to Saturday’s trip is another advantage and any rain shouldn’t be an inconvenience. Fortescue’s last visit to Ascot in February 2022 saw him win the Listed. Chase off 142 (less Hugh Nugent’s 5lb claim) so hopefully Berkshire’s way can bring out the best in him again, running at 133 (less Hugh Nugent’s 3lbs).
I’m just hoping he’s a continuous day and can get into the race early, hopefully increasing his chances of not getting blacked out.Fingers crossed!
Fortescue and Hugh Nugent before landing the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot
THUNDER ROCK
2.45 – Howden Ascot Hurdle (Grade 2) (registered as Ascot Hurdle) (4yrs+) – 2m3f58y
Only six runners in this year’s Ascot Hurdle and it’s a shame Lossiemouth has not been considered for the race, unless indeed he turns to State Man in Saturday’s Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown (2.10).
That negative is a positive for this race, however, in terms of making the contest competitive despite the small field; the fine structure of the race, which means the entire Blueking d’Oroux, Ointments and Golden Ace carry extra weight.
Blueking d’Oroux leads the weights trying to win back-to-back Ascot Hurdles but comes here this year without a prep run; as an unrestricted horse, will he improve for the ride?There is a pulled muscle in the back of last month Golden Ace Also vulnerable in his first campaign?
THUNDER ROCK Also here it comes without a preparatory run, but at least you don’t have to suffer a penalty. has shown he can run well fresh in the past and is a bigger price than the aforementioned pair.In terms of raw ability, he is also the best horse in the field, judging by his 156 chase rating.
Of course he’s back over hurdles here, but he strikes me as the type of horse who will have little trouble with that, given fences have been intimidating for him at times, especially in those bigger field races.
Hopefully Ascot will get its forecast rain (6-8mm), just to put more emphasis on stamina for a horse who has won over 3m before.
WARRIOR
3.20 – Lay & Wheeler Hurst Park Handicap Chase (Class 2) (4yrs+) – 2m167yrs
The penultimate race on Saturday’s card is a Grade 2 Handicap with nine runners, but hopefully WARRIOR can build on what was a good Friday for the Venetia Williams team to win again at Ascot.
The progressive son of Martalin has raced over two fences since joining the French Williams team, including a smooth win here 21 days ago despite being badly pressed at the first fence.
That was perhaps a blessing in disguise given how fresh and good he was early on, but that still didn’t stop him moving Charlie Deutsch into a more prominent position midway through the race, the pair making a decent-sized move to keep pace ahead of Swinley Bottom.
Although it was a run that suggested he still needs more work to jump, the fair motor is clearly intact and at Ned Fox’s claimed 5lb, Martator is actually running just 1lb above that good mark. behind the win.
Carrying 15 pounds more physical weight makes him more difficult in terms of jumping, but there are quite a few horses in this field who are in the same boat, except Without noisewho is a good accurate jumper and I would respect.
THE BEST LIFE!
3.50 – Copybet Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (4yrs) (4yrs+) – 3m97y
If Ascot gets all the rain in the forecast, so much the better when it comes to this guy. THE BEST LIFE! Still looks like a crippled horse from 104 for Mel Rowley’s side.
Saturday, however, will certainly be on the fastest ground he has run on in his young career and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see him taken off his feet early or at some stage.
Maybe he could pull it off, who knows, but he did well in mild conditions last season, finishing his campaign with a career best at Haydock in One Big Bang, now rated 124. It’s fair to say Best Life had little chance of trying to give that horse a pound on the day and the race looks easier on Saturday.
That’s in theory, of course, because while the opposition may be more beatable, the conditions could see him struggle if he can’t fit in. It’s interesting that the links choose to go on such a big track, but only Rowley’s fourth runner is, and Nico de Boinville’s booking catches the eye.
If it rains, he’s on your short list.
