Trainer Hobbs picks right Thyme for the Long Walk at Ascot
THYME Hill can consolidate his claim for staying honours by beating a stellar field in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot today.
Philip Hobbs’ six-year-old is very much the new kid on the block, having been a novice last season.
But he announced himself as a force to be reckoned with when beating Paisley Park on his reappearance in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month.
Admittedly, he was receiving 3lb from the 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle winner — but his length-anda-half success is surely only the beginning.
Thyme Hill has won four of his last five starts, with his only defeat in that spell coming in the Albert Bartlett when he was far from disgraced in fourth place, just a length and a half behind the winner, Monkfish - and he did not get the best of runs that day.
That was his first try at three miles, but he gets the trip really well and is definitely the one to beat despite the strong opposition.
Buzz looks the answer to the Betfair Exchange Trophy Handicap Hurdle, despite having to carry top weight.
The six-year-old bolted up over this course and distance four weeks ago, for which he has been put up 11lb.
Buzz is perfectly happy when the mud is flying and was a decent performer on the Flat for Hughie Morrison before moving to Nicky Henderson’s powerful stable.
He has just had the five runs over hurdles, winning three times, and it looks like he has not stopped improving yet.
Henderson can also strike with Caribean Boy in the Injured
Jockeys Fund Graduation Chase.
He has won the last of his three races for the Seven Barrows handler, after being trained in France. The latest came at Newbury where he comfortably defeated Fiddlerontheroof on his first start since February. Caribean Boy certainly looks one for the future.
The best could still be to come from The Conditional when he lines up for the Good Luck Hollie In SPOTY Silver Cup Handicap Chase.
A winner at the Cheltenham Festival in March, David Bridgwater’s charge made a highly-promising return when third to Cloth Cap in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury last month.
Surprisingly, the handicapper has dropped him 1lb for what was a good effort.
A preference for tough conditions will stand the relatively inexperienced Sojourn in good stead in the Betfair Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock while Elvis Mail can maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the Betfair Racing Only Bettor Podcast Novices’ Chase.
ASCOT: 12.40 Fawsley Spirit, 1.15 Caribean Boy, 1.50 Theo, 2.25 Thyme Hill, 3.00 The Conditional, 3.35 BUZZ (NAP).
HAYDOCK: 11.50 Le Ligerien, 12.20 Elvis Mail, 12.55 Nada To Prada, 1.30 Captain Moirette, 2.05 Mcgowan’s Pass, 2.40 Sojourn, 3.15 Queenohearts.
LINGFIELD: 11.45 Roundabout Magic, 12.15 Bonnie Lad, 12.50 Queen’s Course, 1.25 Aberama Gold, 2.00 Dubai Warrior, 2.35 Pirate King, 3.10 Beat The Breeze, 3.40 Its Nice Tobe Nice.
NEWCASTLE: 12.00 Comber Mill, 12.30 Scottish Accent, 1.05 Tommy’s Oscar, 1.40 She’sasupermack, 2.15 Golden Robin, 2.50 Ain’t My Fault, 3.25 Hear Me Out.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.00 Beau Geste, 4.30 Olivers Pursuit, 5.00 The Mackem Torpedo, 5.30 Le Manege Enchante, 6.00 Mythmaker, 6.30 Thrill Seeker, 7.00 Trevie Fountain, 7.30 Another Angel, 8.00 Spirit Of Rowdown.
Thyme Hill and Buzz.