George star Castle set to take leading role at Ascot
CLONDAW CASTLE can fight off all raiders and land the Byrne Group Handicap Chase (2.10) at Ascot this afternoon.
The Tom George (below) sevenyear-old fell short of Grade 1 level when fourth to Duc Des Genievres (Arkle Trophy) and Ornua (Maghull Novices’ Chase) at Cheltenham and Aintree last spring. But the son of Oscar had earlier proved a decent sort when scoring at Leicester and Huntingdon in January and February.
Jonathan Burke’s mount has plenty of untapped potential and a British Horseracing Authority handicap mark of
144 is not severe.
There should also be further progress to come from who gets the vote in the featured Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase (3.20).
Having landed the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase over this course and distance last February, my selection was fourth to Topofthegame in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Mister Malarky didn’t help his cause with a mistake at the final fence when second to Kildisart in a big-money handicap chase on the Grand National undercard, and it will be a surprise if Colin Tizzard can’t tease out more from this exciting six-year-old. has won at Ascot four times and goes well fresh, so he has plenty going for him in the Sodexo Handicap Hurdle (2.45). Fences may prove the making of who can leave behind a mixed profile over hurdles by claiming the Ascot Underwriting Chase (1.35). returned to his awesome best when taking the Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown in May, and a reproduction of that will make him hard to beat in the Grade 2 bet365 Hurdle (3.05) at Wetherby. Having won the same race 12 months ago, again sets the standard in the bet365 Mares’ Hurdle (1.55).
There was plenty of encouragement in the comeback of at Exeter last month, and Peter Bowen’s eight-year-old looks attractively weighted in the bet365 Handicap Chase (1.20).
At Down Royal, last season’s King George VI Chase hero is the pick of the quintet who assemble for the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase (2.25).