Ascot´s final N.H. meeting of 2012-3

Ascot stages its final N.H.meeting of the season with a strong card today and in less than 4 weeks flat racing returns to the royal racecourse. Nicky Henderson still has not won the Grand National, but otherwise he must be very happy with the way things are going and he is now virtually certain to be champion trainer. He can follow up a successful Aintree with another good day here and we expect him to take the first two races with Courtesy Call at 15.15 CET and Molotof at 15.50, both partnered by Barry Geraghty. He also has chances in the handicaps with Little Dutch Girl at 16.25 and Tetlami at 17.00, also both with Geraghty, and Mister Dillon (Gary Derwin) in the handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys and amateurs at 18.10, although these are all tricky races and we would certainly not leave out the two German-breds Dawn Commander (Charlie Longsdon/ Donagh Meyler) and Promised Wings (Chris Gordon/ Ollier Garner) in ther last-named event.

There is also N.H. racing at a much lower level at Hexham, but there is some decent jumps racing in Ireland at Limeriuck, where the Grade Two novice chase at 17.35 is the main event; Tofino Bay (Dessie Hughes/ Davy Russell) is still a novice at the of 10 but looks the one to beat here. Our Irish collreague recommends Playing (Tom Foley/ SE Butler) in the opportunity handicap chase half an hour later.