Thursday, December 18, 2008

Friday at Ascot

The Mitie Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle looks the best race of its type so far this season; I don't think I'll get involved but the outcome should prove useful for future reference. I like Dee Ee Williams - the yard is in good form at the moment - but Bergo has a seven pound pull at the weights for the half length beating last time. Since moving to Sheena West's the four year old Golan Way reamins unbeaten. He had some decent sorts behind at Cheltenham recently when making all - that's the way he likes to race but that may leave him vulnerable here. Howard Johnson's Door Boy has finished second to the smart Diamond Harry while Paul Nicholls' Shamari could be anything; this looks an enthralling race.

Deep Purple poses something of a conundrum in the novice chase at 2.30. He didn't jump too well on his debut over fences at Wetherby but made amends last time out at Taunton. Will he handle Ascot's tougher obstacles? Naiad du Misselot has smart form behind Palomar to his name but the percentage call looks to be Buck The Legend. The doubt is the stable form - Twiston-Davies emerged from a spell without a winner when Tricky Trickster obliged at Newbury yesterday (Wednesday).

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