Duncliffe strikes

Heavy rain on Friday left conditions at Ascot on the soft side but the ground proved no problem to Duncliffe, who made virtually all to score in the Pentagon Home Novices’ Hurdle.

Daryl Jacob’s mount set off in front and stayed there almost all the way in the three-mile test, despite being pressed by Double Dizzy leaving the back straight.

The pair then jumped the second-last upsides but Robert Alner’s charge stayed on best of all and the 7-2 favourite beat Double Dizzy by four lengths, with first two pulling a distance clear.

Jacob said: “He was very brave and it was a good performance considering he wants better ground.

“The other horse came to me and was eager to go on which helped and he needs three miles plus these days.”