Ascot

RACING at the weekend had to contend with the worst effects of Storm Dennis, and a combination of heavy ground and strong winds made conditions at Ascot difficult, if not treacherous.

That was reflected most strongly in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in which Riders Onthe Storm (Nigel/Sam Twiston-Davies) beat the only other finisher, Janika (Nicky Henderson/Daryl Jacob by 14 lengths), returning as the 7/2 second favourite. Favourite Cyrname was held in third when taking a heavy fall at the last, following the departure of Traffic Fluide at the same obstacle when staying on to throw down a big challenge to the winner.

The race was initially run at a sensible gallop in the conditions, but with Daryl Jacob keen to ensure that Cyrname wasn’t left to his own devices in front, the pace lifted some way from home, and Riders Onthe Storm wrested the lead from the 4/11 market leader before the home turn.

Only Josh Moore on Traffic Fluide didn’t attempt to maintain the pace heading away from the stands, and as the others tired noticeably in the straight, he was able to pick off tiring rivals, and looked sure to win when mounting a challenge going to the last. Both he and the winner were very tired at this stage, however, and Traffic Fluide failed to get enough height at the last, and gave his rider a heavy fall, with the punch-drunk Cyrname following him to the floor. It took a winded Cyrname some time to rise, but eventually he did to the relief of the crowd.

Cyrname was immediately ruled out for the season by Paul Nicholls having walked away feelingly from his fall, and it’s to be hoped that his trainer can get him back to his brilliant best. Riders Onthe Storm will head to the Ryanair, while Traffic Fluide has the Grand National as his aim.

Copperhead shines in the rain

THE Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase went the way of the rapidly improving six-year-old Copperhead (Colin Tizzard/Jonjo O’Neill Jr), who coped with conditions better than most, and justified those who backed him at 6/1 with an impressive 17-length win over Two For Gold (Kim Bailey/David Bass). Danny Whizzbang was the only other finisher after Alsa Mix took a fatal fall, and market leaders Sam Brown and Pym pulled up.

It’s easy to knock this form with the top-rated pair failing to complete, and the last time anything which ran in the Reynoldstown figured in the finish of the RSA was in 2014 when O’Faolains Boy completed the double having beaten Many Clouds in this contest. On the other hand, the Reynoldstown has thrown up National Hunt Chase winner Minella Rocco and close second Ms Parfois in the same period, from just five runners in the amateur riders’ event.

It’s clear that Saturday’s renewal put stamina very much at the forefront of the attributes required, and while he’s very young, stablemate Native River was the same age when second to Minella Rocco in 2016, and Copperhead has already proven his stamina for three and a quarter miles by winning the Mandarin Chase at Newbury. Two For Gold outstayed his rivals to win a Grade 2 at Warwick prior to Ascot, and the National Hunt Chase would seem his most suitable option next month, assuming his trainer doesn’t want to go down the Midlands National route.

BALLYOPTIC finalised his preparation for the Grand National by slogging to victory in the Listed Keltbray Swinley Chase, beating fellow Aintree entries Valtor and Regal Encore. The winner had been disappointing in the Becher Chase, but that followed a couple of gruelling races, and he clearly benefited from a break. He ran creditably before falling in last year’s National, but would need soft or heavy ground to look a realistic contender in April.

Sporting John is a name which has been on many lips since he bagged a couple of novice hurdles at Exeter in November/December. The form of the first of those races has worked out very well and Philip Hobbs’s son of Getaway looked a horse of enormous potential when winning the opening novice hurdle on the card, beating Pipesmoker and the Kennel Hill winner Master Debonair. The latter looked to have his stamina stretched in conditions, but that’s to take nothing away from the winner, who is clearly worthy of his place against the best at Cheltenham.

THERE was a surprise in the Grade 3 National Trial as 33/1 outsider Smooth Stepper turned back the clock to gain his first win since joining Alex Hales in 2018.

The veteran had the benefit of a light weight, for all he was out of the handicap, and having made ground to chase Lord Du Mesnil (Richard Hobson/Paul O’Brien), at the second last he got up late on the run-in under Harry Bannister to beat that runner with 2018 winner Yala Enki (Paul Nicholls/Bryony Frost) third, over 20 lengths behind the winner.

Smooth Stepper isn’t in the Grand National, and wouldn’t make the cut if he was. He has an entry in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham but his trainer intends to run him in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter and the stamina requirements of that contest should suit him on this showing.

JUMPING has been an issue in the past for Warren Greatrex’s highly regarded Emitom, notably when finishing last on his return from injury in the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham’s New Year meeting, but the only horse to beat him up until the start of this season was Champ.

Having benefited from the tutelage of Henrietta Knight, the well-backed 7/4 favourite didn’t put a foot wrong in beating 2018 winner Donna’s Diamond (Chris Grant/Sean Quinlan) by eight lengths. Race favourite The Worlds End had won the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle on his previous start, but ran poorly here without an obvious excuse, eventually pulled up by Adrian Heskin.

Emitom has shortened considerably for the Stayers’ Hurdle on the back of this good effort, and while the bare form needs improving upon to give him any chance, he’s clearly very talented, and having been held up by a hock infection in the summer/autumn, he is also open to more improvement than most in the division.

THE Grade 2 Prestige Hurdle fell to the tough eight-year-old Ramses De Teillee under David Noonan, and David Pipe’s grey once again led his rivals a merry dance before staying on dourly after being challenged by a rival who appeared to travel better, much as he had when winning at Doncaster three weeks earlier.

This time the smooth-travelling opponent was Kalooki (Philip Hobbs/Tom O’Brien), and having looked in danger with two to jump, the 5/6 favourite had enough resolve to repel the challenge by four lengths. On the back of this, the handicapper has raised Ramses De Teillee to 151, and he is now rated higher than long-time Albert Bartlett favourite Thyme Hill.

It’s fair to say that he’s had more opportunity to earn a big official figure than most of his potential rivals, but the experience he’s gained will surely be a big help in the most arduous of the Festival’s novice hurdles.

O’Leary scores in Newcastle

GERARD O’Leary made another successful raid to Britain with Aloysius Lilius who justified favouritism at Newcastle last Saturday evening.

Ridden by Ben Curtis, the four-year-old gelding ran out a comfortable winner of a five-furlong handicap, adding to his win at Wolverhampton in December.

Earlier, there was another Irish winning favourite in Britain through Gavin Cromwell’s Dazzling Darren, who took a 12-furlong handicap at Lingfield, in the hands of Kieran O’Neill.

Cromwell had six winners from 23 runners on the flat in Britain last year and already has two wins from just four runners this season.