GOLF’S LUCKY 13
Gassin set to shine after a dozen winless starts
SUPPORTING a horse which is without a win in 12 starts over hurdles to land The Ladbroke may not seem the cleverest approach, but GASSIN GOLF (Ascot, nap, 3.30) could outrun his tasty odds this afternoon.
Admittedly, the versatile son of Montjeu has enjoyed plenty of opportunities s i nce being switched to the winter game, but he has often run creditably in defeat. He was a valiant runnerup i n the Imperial Cup at Sandown in March.
Big-field handicaps often bring out the best in the five-year-old who was second at the Punchestown festival in May and is yet to finish out of the first three in five starts on a right-handed track.
The selection was also arguably unlucky not to win at today’s venue last season when he was badly hampered at the l ast hurdle. The fact he stays further than two miles is a useful attribute given that it looked hard work at the track yesterday.
Trainer Richard Lee saddled a big- price treble at Warwick recently and I’m hoping it is a case of ‘13 is lucky for some’ when Gassin Golf makes his 13th start over obstacles.
The market has certainly found the two most unexposed types in Activial and Shelford. Both have been heavily supported in recent days. Activial represents a yard which boasts an astonishing record over hurdles at Ascot. The lightly-raced four-year- old bids to become a fifth winner from just six runners for the Harry Fry stable.
Activial is clearly regarded as well treated and could be a blot on the handicap, but this will be the biggest field Fry’s charge will have faced and that alone will represent a tough examination of his hurdling.
Shelford represents last year’s winning yard. His stamina is assured and connections have pursued the same type of preparation with him as Willow’s Saviour underwent 12 months ago.
The Dan Skelton barn is another stable in excellent form and I expect to see him ridden handily before being launched for home some way out. Balgarry’s yard have won this a number of times in the past decade, while Garde La Victoire and Clondaw Warrior renew rivalry after finishing first and third in the Greatwood Hurdle — Pine Creek was 5th in that race and today returns to one of his favoured venues.
Gassin Golf gains the nod as his price is too big to ignore.
Connections of ZARKANDAR (Ascot, 2.25) may not be too concerned if the JLT Long Walk Hurdle becomes a tactical affair.
A muddling gallop won’t see some of the gelding’s rivals in a good l i ght, but Zarkandar possessed the speed to finish second in a Kingwell Hurdle last February so should be able to overhaul his four rivals if there is little pace on.
CASTILO DEL DIABLO (Lingfield, nb, 2.00) was ridden with another day in mind on his latest start and should show the benefits of his first outing for six months today with Adam Kirby taking over from Sophie Killoran in the saddle.