Albertas stakes Ascot claim
Albertas Run leapt to the head of the betting for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase by flattening some lofty reputations at Ascot.
Aside from the attraction of Kauto Star on the card, the John Smith’s Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase provided its own stellar entry with a decent chunk of potentially the best future stayers in attendance.
Ruby Walsh earned the chance ride on Jonjo O’Neill’s charge and displayed his usual confidence as he entered the fray turning for home.
Battlecry and 15-8 favourite Air Force One presented the main challenge but the latter was not slick enough over his fences as Albertas Run (9-2) ground it out to score by a length and three-quarters.
Air Force One and the winner now dispute favouritism for the SunAlliance, with William Hill going 5-1 and Ladbrokes a more generous 8s.
Speaking from Haydock, O’Neill said: “It was a good performance after a lay-off – he liked the ground and he got a great ride.
“I was pleased to see that he jumped well and after that he’d have to go to the Festival.
“He did win at Cheltenham earlier in the year and he’d be entitled to have a crack at the SunAlliance now, but he would want good ground.”
Meanwhile, Colin Tizzard was dumbfounded by fifth-placed Joe Lively.
“Tacky ground is the only excuse we have,” he reflected.
“He just looked slow and wasn’t travelling from the second fence. If Cheltenham was five weeks away I’d go and run him again, but it’s not and we’ll have to go back and think.
“He’s much better at Cheltenham though.”
Of runner-up Air Force One, handler Charlie Mann said: “He got in a bit tight at the second last but we go to Cheltenham happy enough, although I hate losing.”
After Kauto Star’s triumph in the Commercial First Ascot Chase, Walsh changed into Denman’s purple silks in the very next race.
He was provided with another armchair ride as Elusive Dream (4-7 favourite) took the O’Callaghan Hotels Richard Power Novices’ Hurdle in a canter.
“He’s had a nice break and the three-mile Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham will be ideal,” said trainer Paul Nicholls.
Dominic Elsworth and Lucy Wadham are becoming a force to be reckoned with and teamed up for a fine victory with Backbord in the £80,000 Betfair Million – Will It Be Won? Handicap Hurdle.
The luckless Peacock deserved pity again as he surged into the lead with a couple of flights to run but could not match the finishing power of the 11-2 joint-favourite.
Elsworth had been niggling away at his mount for a while but Backbord responded to get a neck in front at the line.
“That’s three from three for me this week from Dominic,” said Wadham.
“He made a mistake three out but he’s really battled back. We’ll put him in the Coral Cup and the Pertemps, but we’ll rest on our laurels at the moment.”
Another in-form and respected young trainer is Donald McCain, who took the Countrywide Steel & Tubes Mares Only Novices’ Hurdle back to Cheshire thanks to Whiteoak (5-2), who stayed on best under Jason Maguire.
Possibly the most popular moment of the day was left to the final event of the afternoon, where the Queen’s Gold Award (2-1) maintained his unbeaten record in the Gardiner & Theobald Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race.
Trainer Nicky Henderson endured a few disappointments across the country through the day but can be greatly encouraged by the way rider Felix de Giles picked off debutant Conflictofinterest and quickened two lengths clear.
Hills offer 12-1 for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper while Cashmans go 10s.
The Servo Computers Handicap Chase was riddled with jumping errors from many as Lord Henry (100-30) came home unchallenged in the hands of Richard Johnson.
