StableTalk: Dan fancies this five year old’s chances at Ascot on Saturday

Saturday runners

2.25 Ascot – Yorkist

Yorkist is a horse I think has a big day in him. His form for Micky Hammond last year was good and he will love the ground at Ascot. I feel he can win a big race but whether that’s first time out, or second race out or whenever I just don’t know but I think he’ll win a good one. I’m really looking forward to getting going with him.

3.00 Ascot – Ch’ Tibello

Ch’ Tibello was second on this card last year to Altior who went on to win the Supreme. He has to carry top weight today but that’s because he’s the best horse in the race. He is a lovely horse who shows a lot of pace. The ground should be perfect for him and I do like him. He has an obvious chance in conditions that will really suit him.

3.35 Ascot – Workbench

Workbench has been magic for the yard. He likes the ground and he just about gets three miles so we will ride him patiently and pick up what we can. He doesn’t owe anyone anything and he’s a super consistent horse which is probably why he only wins once a year.

2.10 Wetherby – Stephanie Frances

Stephanie Frances is equal top weighted in this. She is going to have a couple more runs before she goes to the sales or goes in foal, so I’m just trying to fill the pot up as much as I can before she goes. She is best off a break and put up three great performances over the summer. The ground is ideal, the track should be perfect for her, so there is no reason not to think she won’t run very well.

4.20 Ayr – Throthehatch

I entered Throthethatch in a few races over the weekend but I think the ground at Ayr is softer than elsewhere so decided to run there, and it’s worked out well because the chase has fewer runners and is worth more money than the other options. I’m happy with him. He seems to have come out of his last race well; he looked well handicapped over hurdles so I’m hoping he’s still well handicapped over fences.

4.55 Ayr – Work In Progress

I think Work In Progress will love the track, and we’ll run here before he goes chasing. I was going to go straight over fences but once I saw this race and its value I thought it was worth going for. He’s the best horse in the race and he’s fit and well, but he will improve for the run too. I think he will do himself justice in this race as he is very good fresh.

Sunday runners

1.00 Carlisle – Two Taffs

The great thing about Carlisle is that the ground is soft up there. This is the last chance to run Two Taffs in a novice hurdle and he goes up there top rated. I’m looking forward to running him and he’ll then go for the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock.

1.35 Carlisle – Knockgraffon

These novice handicap chases are really competitive but that is what they are designed for. Knockgraffon has won around Leicester, which is a similar right handed track with an uphill finish, and he jumps really nicely. I think he will be a better chaser than a hurdler, it’s just a case of whether he can win a race like this at the first time of asking. I do feel though he is a chase winner waiting to happen.

3.15 Carlisle – Walking In The Air

I nearly went chasing with Walking In The Air but there was just a lack of options for him given the shortage of rain and I think off 129 he’s well treated. Two and a half miles is ideal as is the ground. He’s fit and he’s ready to go, and so I thought I’d kick on and run him in this race over hurdles. Once these horses have their first runs, and then we get a bit of rain, the horses will improve, and their second runs should then be even better than their first runs. I just love him as a potential chaser.

1.55 Huntingdon – Late Night Lily

She’s the highest rated in the race, she’s won around the track and Bridget takes 5lbs off so there are plenty of positives. The slight unknown is the trip but I think she has a great chance of winning.

Related

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