Don’t overlook Gift horse to reign Supreme 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 righthanded, 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.

The last three winners of this contest have all been above standard, with William Haggas’ Maljoom the stand out, so it will take a decent sort to win it.

The selection was second in soft ground on his debut at Windsor in October over six furlongs and lost little in defeat when a beaten favourite next time at Newmarket as the previously unraced winner, Lunar Eclipse, could be anything.

Balding tends to have his string pretty fit early doors and he gets the nod ahead of Charlie Appleby’s Strong Opinion, a 1,000,000 guineas purchase who is a brother of Theory of everything, who won this race 12 months ago.

The Alice Haynes- trained Parisiac scrapes into the William Hill NRMB On The Grand National Handicap off bottom- weight which could be crucial.

A winner on heavy at Newmarket at the end of last season, he is back down to a mark just 1lb higher after two unplaced efforts on the all- weather.

That race fitness could prove crucial given only two other runners have a recent spin to their name.

David and Nichola Barron’s Baryshnikov went winless last season but as a result starts life this campaign well handicapped on his best form.

No doubt Chester in May is the aim as he goes especially well there, but a mark of 84 may be too good to pass up and he won first time out two years ago.

Bust A Move absolutely powered through the mud at Newmarket when last seen and while his fitness has to be taken on trust, the Ribchester gelding will relish conditions in the Harrison College Your Future Your Choice Handicap.

SELECTIONS

ASCOT: 1.35 Vincenzo, 2.10 Cartonne, 2.45 Kourosh, 3.20 Thelasthighking, 3.55 Rebel Intentions, 4.30 Larry, 5.05 SUPREME GIFT ( NAP).

DONCASTER: 1.20 Dubai Crystal, 1.55 Bust A Move, 2.30 Ghaihaban, 3.05 Parisiac, 3.40 Baryshnikov, 4.15 Shandy Star, 4.50 Selby’s Pride, 5.25 Violets Star.

LIMERICK: 1.45 Lazer Wolf, 2.20 Miss Agusta, 2.55 Surf Club, 3.30 Gold In The Rivers, 4.05 Dancing Jeremy, 4.40 Folly Master, 5.15 Shuttle Diplomacy.

NAAS: 1.25 Fleetingly, 2.00 Purple Lily, 2.35 La Filomena, 3.10 Guildenstern, 3.45 Janoobi, 4.20 Dark Viper, 4.55 Master Garvey.

DOUBLE: Supreme Gift and Ghaihaban.