Irving at Ascot

a good Friday card at Ascot features two Grade Two races, and by far the more interesting is the novice hurdle over 2 miles at 15.00 CET. Irving (Paul Nicholls/ Nick Scholfield), who was a big classic hope for Schlenderhan two years ago moves up in grade here after winning both his U.K. starts very easily. Ex-French Volnay de Thaix (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) comes with a similar profile. having also won both his U.K. starts against inferior opposition. Both must now show their true ability against some strong opponents, including Prince Siegfried (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan), who was the best of these on the flat, and Irish raider Massini´s Trap (Jeremy Nash/ Tony McCoy).Splash of Ginge (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) and Long Lunch (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily) are also last-time-out winners, so this should be an informative race, but we hope that Irving comes through with flying colours.

The other graded race is a novice chase over 2 miles 3 furlongs at 15.35 and has only 4 runners; all 4 are in with a chance, and we have a slight preference for Mr.Mole (Nicholls/ McCoy), one of the few horses that Nicholls trains for JP McManus. He was a useful hurdler who won his first chase nicely enough, but there is little between the 4 on ratings.

Another ex-German horse running here is Double Handful (Lawnay Hill/ David Bass) in the handicap chase at 14.30. He has been placed on both his chasing starts after winning 3 times over hurdles, but does not seem that well handicapped, is coming off a break and will not be suited by the soft ground, so we shall go for the lightly-raced Rio de Sivola (Nick Williams/ McCoy), who made all to win at Warwick last time.

There is also N.H. racing at Uttoxeter., at a much lower level, as well as poor flat racing on the all-weather at Southwell, Wolverhampton and in Ireland at Dundalk. At Uttoxeter, where the going will be heavy, we expect that Ryan Hatch, one of the most promising young claimers, can ride a couple of winners.


Betting forecast:
1. Race: Pleasant Company - Royal Boy - Tara Road
2. Race: Rio De Sivola - Double Handful - Orabora
3. Race: Volnay De Thaix - Irving - Splash Of Ginge
4. Race: Raya Star - Fox Appeal - Mr Mole
5. Race: Polly Peachum - Andy Kelly - Bygones Sovereign
6. Race: Carningli - Herons Heir - Nathans Pride