Hinterland hoping to defy draw

Michael Jarvis is hoping a high draw will not prevent his progressive colt Hinterland from lifting tomorrow’s £150,000 totesport International at Ascot.

The son of Danzig has enjoyed a profitable campaign so far, landing two valuable handicaps as well as finishing fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup in between.

His Newmarket-based handler has been pleased with his progress since his victory at Sandown last time, but admits he fears the worst after his charge was drawn highest of all in the 20-runner field.

“He’s done well since his last run and he’s fine but he’s drawn 20 of 20 so I think that’s enough said – I hope I’m wrong but I’m pretty pessimistic,” he explained.

Hinterland will be stepping down to seven furlongs for the first time in his career tomorrow but Jarvis does not see that as a problem.

“I don’t think the trip will be an issue but I think the draw probably is,” he said.

Among the opposition is Clive Cox’s tough and consistent New Seeker, who will bid to land a high-profile hat-trick in the race after triumphing in the 2003 and 2005 renewals.

“I’ve just seen him – he looks well and they seem very happy with him,” said Matthew Budden, racing manager to owners Elite Racing Club.

“He loves to use his stride in these sorts of races and when they go a decent pace it always helps him and seems to bring out the best in him.

“He’s gone close in a couple of Listed and Group races this year and he seems to be in as good form as ever before.

“It would be lovely to land the hat-trick. He’s won the race twice before and we thought it would be fun to go back and try to win it for a third time.

“He has a few more pounds than he had last year but it’s worth a crack,” he concluded.

Other notable contenders include James Bethell’s Mine, who recently secured his third Bunbury Cup at Newmarket, the Gerard Butler-trained Bayeux and Royal Ascot winner Uhoomagoo.

Hinterland still heads the sponsors market for the seven-furlong showpiece, but he has been eased to 5-1 from 4-1 following his high draw.

Spokesman Damian Walker explained: “Hinterland was by far our worst result and those clutching ante-post vouchers will be gutted to see him drawn out wide.

“Hinterland would probably be an even bigger price than his current quote of 5-1 but for our large ante-post liabilities on the horse.”

Totesport International, sponsors bet: 5-1 Hinterland, 7-1 Mine, 8-1 Polar Magic, 10-1 Bayeux, New Seeker, 11-1 Marching Song, 14-1 Gallantry, Uhoomagoo, 16-1 Appalachian Trail, Indian Trail, 20-1 Dabbers Ridge, King’s Caprice, Marshman, 25-1 Bahiano, Beaver Patrol, 33-1 Binanti, Just James, King Marju, Mr Sandicliffe, 40-1 Dhaular Dhar.