Rory Delargy

ASCOT SATURDAY

2.30 LEO BANCROFT SIGNATURE HAIRCARE HANDICAP (1M 4F)

Nicky Henderson proved that he’s a force to be reckoned with in flat handicaps when taking the Chester Cup with No Heretic during the week. Sign of A Victory is another who could be well placed to win this summer, especially as his predilection for fast ground has often meant he’s not been seen to advantage as a hurdler. His best efforts over timber have come here, and he presents a very tough puzzle for the handicapper, having won his only outing in this sphere on Wolverhampton’s tapeta surface. A mark of 88 is stiff enough on the bare form of that maiden win, but he won with plenty up his sleeve, and appeals as the type to prove ahead of the handicapper. He’s best at a bare two miles over hurdles, so this trip looks ideal, while he might even be worth a try at shorter. He’s one to keep onside for the summer months.

3.05 CAREY GROUP BUCKHOUNDS STAKES (1M 4F)

I’ve long been a fan of Astronereus, and Amanda Perrett’s charge has proved both reliable and progressive over the past two seasons, with his only blip coming in last year’s Ebor when running as if amiss (not the only one to do so in that contest, and York has a reputation for throwing up such performances). He was beaten on his return at Pontefract last year, but that came on ground softer than he likes, and he’s run extremely well on every one of his outings over course and distance. His third to Arab Dawn in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at last year’s royal meeting was particularly meritorious given stall one is often something of a curse on the round track here (winner was drawn widest of all). He has several efforts on his card which prove he’s well up to this level, and as long as he’s ready to go after a break, which is a minor concern given the tendency of Perrett’s horses to need a run after a lay-off, he looks certain to go close.

3.40 EBF ‘BREEDERS SERIES’ FILLIES’ HANDICAP (1M)

She’s not obviously well treated on the face of it, but there was plenty to like about the way Havre De Paix disposed of a subsequent winner in a Chelmsford maiden in March, and the subsequent efforts of those who finished in her wake suggest the form is a bit better than it looked at the time. David Menuisier has wrought improvement out of several of his string this season with the likes of Slunovrat and Sinfonietta landing wide-margin handicap wins, and it appears that this daughter of Prix du Jockey Club winner Le Havre is also thriving at present. Le Havre, like his half-brother Astronereus, was best on good ground or quicker, so there are reasons to believe that Havre De Paix, who raced on soft ground after a promising debut last year, will also do better on the forecast quick ground at Ascot. She’s certainly unexposed under such conditions and her trainer remains underappreciated by the public at large despite some impressive results this season.

4.15 totescoop6 VICTORIA CUP (7F)

It’s disappointing that last year’s runner-up Lincoln hasn’t been declared for this given the nature of the race suits his style better than most handicaps he’s eligible for, but there is still a little bit of value to be had. High numbers tend to fare best here when the ground is on the quick side, although that can depend on various factors, not least the pace. In that regard, it’s encouraging that trailblazer Majestic Moon, who won over track and trip last autumn, is drawn close to the stands’ rail, and that might be the factor which sees those drawn highest getting the best of things.

With most of the fancied runners stuck in the middle, there is a chance of a shock and I’m quite keen on the prospects of Miracle Of Medinah, who is best on quick ground, and is better than he was able to show for most of last season. He did finish a fine second to Sound Advice at Chester in August when looking unlucky not to win given how the race played out. A poor run on his final start can be put down to him breaking a blood vessel, and while that can be a worry going forward, any concerns are offset by a massive price, and he merits a small interest each way.

HAYDOCK SATURDAY

2.15 PERTEMPS NETWORK (SWINTON) HANDICAP HURDLE (1M 7F 144Y)

The Swinton is never an easy race to unravel, but a chance is taken on the well-handicapped Beltor, despite this representing his first run since the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle last season. The selection was hugely impressive on his first two starts over hurdles, beating subsequent Grade 1 winner All Yours on the latter of those at Kempton, and he came in for a poor tactical ride when only sixth in the Triumph the following month. The upshot is that he carries a lenient mark of 140 through to handicaps (receives 5lb from All Yours here, for example), and while the fact he’s only managed two runs in the past 14 months is a concern, he remains the type to do better yet in this sphere. The booking of the excellent Gavin Sheehan is a bonus, and Robert Stephens has shown before that he can produce one at concert pitch after a lay-off.

3.20 PERTEMPS NETWORK LONG DISTANCE HANDICAP HURDLE (2M 6F 177Y)

Things haven’t panned out as expected for Maximiser in the past year, with trainer Simon West deciding to pull the plug on a promising novice chase campaign when it became clear the horse needed time. That brave decision will surely pay dividends next season when this classy stayer will have plenty of options over fences, but he’s no slouch over hurdles either, as he showed when a fine second in listed company at Auteuil on his return from a break in March. He rallied well that day, and would have been back in front in another stride, so can be expected to go close over this slightly longer trip. He was a facile winner on his only previous visit here, and while he’s been kept to soft ground in his short career to date, he’s by a sire in Helissio whose stock tend to be better suited by a sound surface.

RECOMMENDED

HAVRE DE PAIX 3.40 Ascot - 1pt win

MIRACLE OF MEDINAH 4.15 Ascot - 1pt e/w @ 66/1 (Coral)

BELTOR 2.15 Haydock - 1pt win @ 14/1 (general)

MAXIMISER 3.20 Haydock - 1pt win