Ash Just Ace!

I thought that Ashkazar put up a great performance yesterday to win at Cheltenham in only his third career start over fences.  Our high class hurdler was potentially well-treated compared to his hurdles mark, but he still received a great ride from Timmy Murphy.  He has now won 9 of his 27 starts and this was his third success at the Prestbury course.  There were no fewer than eight non-runners in the handicap hurdle after the official going was changed to soft - I think that the trainers had been looking for good ground.  I think our other runner at the course yesterday, Laustra Bad would certainly have preferred a faster surface.

Ashkazar wins at Cheltenham on Thursday afternoon under Timmy Murphy

I thought that Ashkazar put up a great performance yesterday to win at Cheltenham in only his third career start over fences.  Our high class hurdler was potentially well-treated compared to his hurdles mark, but he still received a great ride from Timmy Murphy.  He has now won 9 of his 27 starts and this was his third success at the Prestbury course.  There were no fewer than eight non-runners in the handicap hurdle after the official going was changed to soft - I think that the trainers had been looking for good ground.  I think our other runner at the course yesterday, Laustra Bad would certainly have preferred a faster surface.

The stable has just one runner this afternoon at Fontwell, Beattie Green, who contests an interesting 2 1/2 mile novices' handicap hurdle.  Tom Scudamore rides our charge, who has shown some form at this level, while Diana Grissell's runner Oscar Baby looks to be the main danger even allowing for a 7lbs penalty taking the six year old mare's weight to 12-0.

There are two flat cards at Bath and Newbury this afternoon as well as three jumps cards at Ayr, Fontwell and Southwell.  Ayr sees the start of the Scottish Grand National meeting and there is some good prize money up for grabs, with the £7,000 on offer for the juvenile hurdle the smallest prize on offer.  We don't have any runners there today, although we will have some tomorrow, including Junior in the Scottish National itself.

*****

Watching the action from Cheltenham yesterday, you would have to ask how Mad Moose won the 2.35pm race.  Nevermind the 700/1 that was available in running  on the exchanges, he would have been nearer one million to one in my book jumping the penultimate fence!  Both Take Of Shoc'S and Arctic Ben almost stopped to a walk up the long Cheltenham hill and Mad Moose stayed on strongly to get up close home under a great ride from young Sam Twiston-Davies.  It goes to show that there is a lot to be said for perseverance.