Moore planning Ascot raid

Gary Moore is hoping to be triple-handed when he goes in search of another major handicap hurdle prize at Ascot on Saturday.

The East Sussex-based handler has plundered the William Hill Handicap, Lanzarote Hurdle and totesport Trophy in the past couple of seasons and now has his sights fixed on the £150,000 Ladbroke.

Of his four entries, only Heathcote looks like staying at home.

Moore said: “I’d like to run Altilhar, Pace Shot and Mon Michel.

“I was very pleased with Altilhar last time but I’m not so pleased with the weight he’s got to carry.

“It’s very tough in a race like this and he’s only a four-year-old of course.

“Mon Michel got beaten by Altilhar last year but this is a big prize and Pace Shot just got stuck in the mud at Sandown the other day.

“He’s still showing ability, but I think he might just be 5lb higher in the weights than he should be.”

Shatabdi's participation looks in doubt because of the drying ground at Ascot.

Twice an impressive winner last season in the mud, including a Kempton Grade Two event, the Robert Waley-Cohen-owned mare did not perform so well on quicker going in the Scottish Champion Hurdle.

Her rider, Waley-Cohen’s son Sam, said: “I have to go on what Nicky Henderson (trainer) has told me, she seems very well and everything suggests she retains her ability from last season.

“But the likelihood of her running is diminishing as long as the ground continues quickening up.

“The decision remains with Nicky, so we’ll see.”

Waley-Cohen is also not sure whether Shatabdi will stay hurdling or try her hand at fences.

“She jumps well, but we just need to see how she progresses,” he added.