Cap Fits is a classy stayer

IN the Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle, If The Cap Fits (Harry Fry/Sean Bowen) took the race for the second year running, and deserves plenty of credit for conceding 6lbs to runner-up Call Me Lord.

The winner, returned at 3/1, proved his stamina when beating Roksana in the Ryanair Stayers’ Hurdle at Aintree, and he will presumably be back to take on star stayer Paisley Park in the Long Walk Hurdle back at Ascot next month.

Although Nicky Henderson had to suffer the disappointment of Altior’s defeat, it wasn’t all doom and gloom, with the highly touted Angels Breath very impressive in beating First Flow on Ascot’s Friday card, while Pym carried the Altior silks of Patricia Pugh to victory on Saturday in the novices’ handicap chase after Valtor had won the opener.

At Haydock, the listed novice hurdle was won rather easily by Thebannerkingrebel for trainer Jamie Snowden and jockey Gavin Sheehan. The Grade 2 Weatherby’s Aintree Bumper runner-up is classy, but his jumping needs to improve if he’s to challenge for major honours.

The Grade 3 Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle, has gone to Sam Spinner and Paisley Park in the past two years, and Henry Daly’s 16/1 shot Stoney Mountain (Tom O’Brien) matched the latter in that he was also soundly beaten in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at Cheltenham prior to this.

While he lacks the raw class of those recent winners, the Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding seems a very genuine performer, so should go on to further success when stamina is at a premium. Third-placed Ask Ben also shaped well, looking the likeliest winner for much of the journey, but tiring after the last as the lack of a recent run told.