N.H. racing at Ascot and Fontwell

A decent jumps card at Ascot today, where the most valuable race is the veterans (i.e. 10yo´s and older) handicap chase at 17.40 CET. Last-time-out winner Out the Black (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) could be favourite here, but this is a very open affair and the top-weights Hobbs Hill (Chatle Egerton/ Tony McCoy) and Ungaro (Keith Revely/ Rhys Flint) look dangerous. Hobbs Hill won 5 races in 2007, but has only sporadically been seen since, usually in much better company, while Ungaro finished well behind Out the Black at Doncaster but is expected to do better this time. The 4yo handicap hurdle at 16.30 is another very tricky race. Helium (Nick Gifford/ Liam Treadwell), Woodfall Treasure (Gary Moore/ Tony McCoy) and Higgys Boy (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) finshed in that order when all were well beaten in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, but that form may not stand up here, and at these weights we prefer the chances of Rory Boy (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan), while Nine Stories (Howard Johnson/ Timmy Murphy), who has good form but has been given a high weight for his handicap debut, is another danger.

The richest jumps race of the day is the handicap hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 16.55 at Fontwell. The interesting one here is Numide (Gary and Jamie Moore), who looks certain to win a big handicap off his crrent rtaing, but possibly needs softer going than we will find now. Tamarinbleu (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamire) reverts to hurdling after some godefforts in high-class chases and despite top weight is still well handicapped on his form over fences. However the safest option could be Hills of Aran (Keith Goldsworthy/ Robert Thornton), who has run some good races in defeat this season. Later on, Indefensible (Evan Williams/ Donal Fahy) a very easy winner here earlier in the week should follow up under a penaölty in the 3 miles 3 furlongs handoicap hurdle at 18.05.