Ascot Serves Up Saturday Feast Despite April Showers
Right then, racing fans, Ascot has rolled out the red carpet for a proper National Hunt feast this Saturday, though Mother Nature's been having her say with the watering can. The whole course has been given the verti-drain treatment, which tells you everything you need to know about the conditions we're facing. This isn't going to be a speed merchant's paradise – it's a day for the genuine stayers and those with a bit of class about them.
Eight races on the Ascot racecard ranging from novice bumps to handicap chases, and there's plenty of value to be found if you know where to look. The going will suit those with stamina in abundance, and trainers like Donald McCain and Nicky Henderson – who know how to get a horse ready for testing conditions – should be right in the mix.
Feature Race: Reckless Spending Looks The Business
The feature attraction has to be the 2:27 Bangor-on-Dee Novices' Hurdle, a Class 3 affair worth £15,000 that's drawn just five runners but what runners they are! Reckless Spending for Nicky Henderson tops the ratings at 134, and you'd be a braver man than me to take him on over this extended two miles and seven furlongs.
The six-year-old has Nico de Boinville in the plate, which is never a bad sign when Henderson's plotting up something special. At 134, he's giving lumps of weight away to the field, but class is permanent and this lad has it in spades. Park Princess for Anthony Honeyball is rated just 2lb inferior at 132 and has Gavin Sheehan doing the steering – that's a combination that's been firing in winners lately.
The dark horse here might be Johnny Moonshine for Donald McCain. Unrated but with Theo Gillard aboard, and McCain's been having a right good season. Don't be surprised if this one runs a big race at decent odds.
Going Conditions Will Sort The Wheat From The Chaff
That verti-draining tells me the ground was getting proper testing before they even started, and with April showers in the air, this is going to be all about stamina and jumping. Horses with course form will have a massive advantage – knowing how to handle Ascot's unique challenges is half the battle.
In the opening Broxton Gates Novices' Hurdle at 1:17, Alsakib heads the weights at 118 for Donald McCain and Theo Gillard. This six-year-old should relish the conditions, and McCain's strike rate this season has been impressive. Knock Off Soxs is interesting for Kayley Woollacott – the 'D' next to his name shows he's won at the distance before, which could be crucial on this ground.
The 3:52 Gieves & Hawkes Novices' Chase over three miles is a proper test of stamina. Streamsforth Lad and Atlanta Brave both rated 97 look the pick, but at those weights over that trip on testing ground, anything could happen. Siege of Acres for McCain is one to keep an eye on – only five years old but rated 98, suggesting there's more to come.
Handicap Highlights and Value Plays
The 4:10 Broxton Gates Handicap Chase could be the race of the day for punters. Presentandcounting is a 12-year-old warrior who's won at both course and distance – those 'C,D' markers are like gold dust on ground like this. At 121, he's giving weight away but Theo Gillard knows him well and McCain's stable is in flying form.
Doyouknowwhatimean (and yes, that's actually his name!) is rated 117 and represents Gary Hanmer, who's been quietly going about his business this season. Don't overlook My Noble Lord either – only five years old and already rated 117, with distance form to boot.
In the 4:42 Overton Handicap Hurdle, Hillview catches the eye with that 'C,D' combination again. At 10 years old, he knows the game inside out, and on testing ground, experience counts for plenty. Tiger Orchid is 11 but also has the distance form, while Dwight K Schrute (brilliant name!) for Jamie Snowden could be the each-way value.
Bumper Finale Worth A Punt
The closing bumper at 5:17 is always worth a look for future stars. Affinitive for Henrietta Knight with Brendan Powell up is intriguing – Knight doesn't run many but when she does, they're usually well-schooled. Longlands represents the Henderson-de Boinville combination again, and you ignore those two at your peril in any sphere.
Charlie Maggs has been riding with confidence lately, and his mounts throughout the day deserve respect. Same goes for Jack Andrews and I. J. Power – all jockeys who know how to get the best out of their mounts when the going gets tough.
Tom's Verdict: Class and Experience Rule
Best Bet: Reckless Spending in the 2:27 – class will tell on this ground
Each-Way Value: Presentandcounting in the 4:10 – course and distance winner with conditions to suit
Dark Horse: Johnny Moonshine in the 2:27 – McCain's been plotting with this one
The key to today is simple: respect the conditions, back the stayers, and don't be afraid to take on short-priced favourites who might not handle the ground. It's going to be a proper test of jumping and stamina, and that's when the cream rises to the top. Sláinte to a profitable afternoon!
