A Royal Afternoon to Remember
There's something rather magical about an April afternoon at Ascot, isn't there? Even when the going's been given the full verti-drain treatment and you know it's going to be a proper test of stamina, the grandeur of the place never fails to lift the spirits. My old dad used to say that Ascot in spring was like a good wine – it gets better with age, and Saturday's seven-race card proved him absolutely right.
The Ascot racecard promised quality from top to bottom, and by George, it delivered. From the opening novices' hurdle through to that fascinating bumper finale, there was barely a dull moment. More importantly for us punters, several horses emerged who'll be worth following through the remainder of the season and beyond.
Reckless Spending Lives Up to the Name
The afternoon's feature was undoubtedly the Bangor-on-Dee Novices' Hurdle, and what a treat it turned out to be. Reckless Spending, with Nico de Boinville doing the steering, put in the sort of performance that had me reaching for my notebook with genuine excitement. That rating of 134 tells only half the story – this horse has the look of a proper prospect.
What impressed me most wasn't just the winning margin, but the way he travelled through the race. De Boinville barely had to get serious, and when he did ask the question approaching the final flight, the response was immediate and emphatic. Park Princess ran a cracker in second under Gavin Sheehan, and there's no shame in finishing behind this one. She'll have her day, mark my words.
The real eye-catcher, though, might have been Johnny Moonshine with Theo Gillard aboard. Unrated going into this, but the way he stayed on suggested there's plenty more to come when stepped up in trip. One for the notebook, definitely.
Handicap Highlights and Future Stars
The Gieves & Hawkes Novices' Chase over three miles provided exactly the sort of test that separates the men from the boys. Streamsforth Lad and Gavin Sheehan looked to have this sewn up from some way out, but it was the performance of Atlanta Brave that caught my eye. Conor O'Farrell gave him a peach of a ride, and while he couldn't quite get there, the way he stayed on up that testing Ascot hill suggests he's one to keep on the right side of.
In the handicap hurdle division, Sutherland with Jack Andrews proved that class is permanent. That rating of 111 looked generous beforehand, and it proved exactly that. But don't overlook They Want Me – Theo Gillard's having quite the afternoon, and this one's progressive profile suggests bigger days lie ahead.
The Broxton Gates Chase threw up another Gillard winner with Presentandcounting, but it was My Noble Lord who'll have trainer connections purring. Toby Wynne gave him a lovely ride, and while he couldn't quite get home, that effort screamed 'next time' louder than a Tannoy announcement.
Jockey Masterclass and Trainer Nous
Speaking of jockeys, what a day Theo Gillard was having! The lad's riding with real confidence at the moment, and his partnership with several of these progressive types suggests he's building some lovely relationships with the right yards. That's worth noting when you're looking at future entries.
Gavin Sheehan, as always, was the picture of professionalism throughout the card. His ride on Park Princess was textbook stuff – patient, progressive, and never asking more than was needed. When you see Sheehan getting a leg up, you know connections mean business.
The bumper finale provided the perfect end to proceedings, with several unrated youngsters getting their first taste of racecourse action. Longlands with Nico de Boinville looked particularly impressive, while Tide Is Turning under Richie McLernon showed enough to suggest we'll be seeing more of him before the season's out.
Looking Ahead: Where Next for These Stars?
The beauty of a day like this is that it throws up so many future pointers. Reckless Spending looks ready for a step up in class – perhaps a crack at one of the better novice hurdles before the season's end. That engine suggests he could be a Cheltenham Festival type next March.
For the handicappers, keep an eye on the ratings adjustments. Several of Saturday's winners will go up, but the likes of Atlanta Brave and My Noble Lord might just sneak under the radar for their next outings. That's where the value often lies.
The bumper graduates will be fascinating to follow through their hurdling careers. Longlands, in particular, has the stamp of a horse who'll improve markedly for the experience. File that name away for future reference.
The Verdict: Quality Shines Through
Days like Saturday remind you why we love this game. Yes, the going was testing after that verti-draining, and yes, a few fancied runners failed to fire. But the quality shone through, and we've been treated to a glimpse of several horses who could well be making headlines in the months ahead.
Reckless Spending was the star of the show, but this was very much an ensemble piece. From the opening novices' hurdle through to that bumper finale, there was quality and promise in abundance. The sort of afternoon that sends you home with a smile on your face and several new names in the notebook.
Roll on the next time these progressive types hit the track. Something tells me we haven't seen the best of them yet.
