Don’t overlook gift horse at Ascot

PUNTERS who hang around until the final race at Ascot can be rewarded for their patience if they back Supreme Gift.

Henry Daly’s seven-year-old has a decent strike-rate, winning four of his 15 outings - and he definitely reserves his best for Ascot.

He won at the track in November, prompting Daly to take him to Aintree for a decent race on Boxing Day.

However, despite the ground only being described as soft, it rode much deeper and the time was 45 seconds above standard, suggesting it was heavy.

Given Supreme Gift likes a decent surface, and we know now seems to prefer going right-handed, a line can be put through that run.

He was never going when pulled up behind subsequent Reynoldstown winner Henry’s Friend at Hereford, but back at Ascot last time out he returned to form over the smaller obstacles

The drying ground is in his favour and with Sam Twiston-Davies on for the first time he can go well in the Colts And Fillies Handicap Hurdle.

Thelasthighking can defy topweight in the LK Bennett Handicap Chase.

With £40,000 up for grabs he only has five to beat and two of those are out of the handicap.

Thelasthighking, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, has been incredibly consistent, not finishing out of the first two in his last five outings.

He has risen from 118 to 134 in the ratings in the process but ran another solid race when second to Our Jet last time out.

Clearly at his best on a decent surface, this incredibly wet winter has not been in his favour but the wait can prove worthwhile.

Andrew Balding’s Ghaihaban should take some stopping in the William Hill Epic Boost Novice Stakes at Doncaster.

He has already shown testing ground holds no fears for him which will be crucial at this early stage of the Flat season.