Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TONY FLAIR
Antony can turn on style to strike Golden double
ANTONY looks ready to make a name for himself by repeating last year’s victory in Ascot’s Sodexo Gold Cup (3.35).
Gary Moore’s seven-yearold, ridden by the trainer’s son Jamie, was impressive in this race in 2016, scoring by four and a half lengths from Junction Fourteen.
Antony didn’t reproduce that form in two subsequent starts last term, finishing well beaten at Newbury in November and at Sandown in February.
However, the handicapper has shown leniency as a result – my selection is now just 4lb higher than when successful 12 months ago – and there was plenty of encouragement from his third at Fontwell a month ago.
That straightener will put Antony cherry ripe for today and, with just nine outings over fences under his belt, there should be further improvement to come.
Nicky Henderson is fancied for an Ascot double, THEINVAL initiated by in the Byrne Group Handicap Chase (2.25).
The French-bred gelding ran some fine races in top company last season, finishing third in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham last March and second in the Red Rum Chase at Aintree the following month.
Theinval has dropped 3lb from his peak rating last season and is capable of conceding weight all round. JENKINS
Henderson’s was a smart novice last winter and is taken to make a winning return in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle (3.00). The master of Seven Barrows will no doubt face a battle from Paul Nicholls (left) to keep his trainers’ crown, and the Ditcheat handler’s COPAIN DE CLASSE
appeals on his fencing debut in the Ascot Underwriting Chase (1.50).
On Wetherby’s Charlie LIL Hall Chase undercard, ROCKERFELLER
holds the aces in the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle (2.40).
Neil King’s yard has been flying this week, and Lil Rockerfeller’s second in the Stayers’ Hurdle last season – he went under by threequarters of a length to Nichols Canyon – sets the standard the others must aim for.
The olbg.com Mares’ LA Hurdle (2.05) should go to BAGUE AU ROI,
who enjoys a class edge over her seven rivals.