Appleby’s hope has more than ghost of chance

TIPS: Stamina – and jockey Buick – could prove key for Ghostwatch in strong field

GHOSTWATCH can deliver for Godolphin in Ascot’s Londonmetric Noel Murless Stakes.

The Listed event for three-year-old stayers has attracted an eight-strong field of plausible contenders.

But none is more so than Charlie Appleby’s charge, with whom regular jockey William Buick appears to get on especially well.

The pair certainly clicked in York’s Melrose Handicap over this same trip when Ghostwatch ground out a game victory on his first start since being gelded in mid-summer.

He is closely-matched on that running at the Ebor Festival meeting with the reopposing Mekong.

Sir Michael Stoute’s colt went off favourite that day but could get no closer than a two-length fourth.

Conceding 1lb then and back at level weights here, Ghostwatch has since bumped into First Eleven and was no match for him over a shorter trip at this track.

A one-time Derby entry, however, Ghostwatch is shaping as though he can repay plenty more of his £2millionplus yearling price-tag whenever stamina is key – and this looks a handy place to start.

In the preceding Original Harrogate Water Handicap, ALJADY may reward investment too.

Richard Fahey’s colt began his career with a northern hat-trick over this six-furlong distance.

Up to seven for his first foray south in a Goodwood handicap at the end of August, Aljady appeared to get the trip fine but had to settle for sixth, beaten less than three lengths.

Connections clearly believe the drop back will be no impediment, and Aljady can prove he is on a winning mark in just his second handicap.

Over jumps, Gary Moore’s ANTONY used to operate successfully from a much higher rating and may be able to get his new campaign off on the right foot in the James Todd & Co Ltd Handicap Chase at Fontwell.

The eight-year-old is twice a winner over this figure-of-eight chase course – including last spring – and will like the forecast good ground.

SELECTIONS

ASCOT: 1.50 Game Player, 2.25 Blue Mist, 3.00 Aljady, 3.35 GHOSTWATCH (NAP), 4.10 African Jazz, 4.45 Rum Runner.

FONTWELL: 2.05 Workbench, 2.40 Ennistown, 3.15 Sixties Secret, 3.50 Antony, 4.25 Bugsie Malone, 5.00 Mercers Court.

DOUBLE: Ghostwatch and Aljady.