Two Grade Two races at Ascot

Ascot´s card tomorrow is first-rate but today there is also high-class racing at the Berkshire track, with two Grade Two races taking pride of place. The novice hurdle over 2 miles at 14.55 has attracted a really strong field and we are looking at Cheltenham contenders here. Golan Way (Sheena West/ Jamie Goldstein) has been the big surprise of the season so far, winning all 4 of his starts and defeating some highly-rated opponents. However as a dour front-runner he could be vulnerable to a strong finisher, such as Dee Ee Williams (Nick Gifford/ Liam Treadwell) , who showed excellent speed to win here last time. However German-bred Bergo, runner-up that day. meets him on better terms and could well reverse the form, while another German-bred Wendel (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) is moving up in class after 2 easy wins. Paul Nicholls´ unbeaten Shamari (Ruby Walsh) is another to be considered in a tough race. There are only 5 runners in the novice chase over 2 miles 3 furlongs at 1 5.30, but again some strong competition, and Buck the Legend (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) ad Panjo Bere (Gary and Jamie Moore) are both on a hat-trick, while Deep Purple (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney) and Naiad de Misselot (Ferdy Murpohy/ Graham Lee) will also have plenty of supporters. The card closes with 2 very competitive handicaps, and with Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty in such good form, they could well take them both with Boomshakalaka at 16.05 and Busker Royale at 16.40. Today´N.H. mererting at Uttoxeter has been abandfoned because of waterlogging, but there is also jumps racing from Downpatrick in N. Ireland, with maximum fields of 15 in all races, but clearly of a standard well below that at Ascot. Willie Mullins should take the beginners chase over 2 miles 7 furlongs at 14.55, as he saddles two runners, Derrymore Dawn (Emmett Mullins) and Cru (Paul Townend), who could well full the first two places.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Fistral Beach - Run For Moor - Midnight Sail
2.Race: High Jack - Fit To Drive - Baseball Ted
3.Race: Dee Ee Williams - Golan Way - Door Boy
4.Race: Buck The Legend - Deep Purple - Naiad Du Misselot
5.Race: Something Wells - Cedrus Libani - Boomshakalaka
6.Race: Busker Royal - Nikos Extra - Sarde