Frascati Park takes Novices' Hurdle at Ascot

Frascati Park battled for a long overdue first success over timber in the Redstone "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle at Ascot today.

Prolific in bumpers for Carl Llewellyn, the six-year-old was set some stiff tasks in his first season for Nigel Twiston-Davies but his team never lost faith.

Immediately setting off in front under Paddy Brennan, the 100-30 shot was collared by the 6-5 favourite Sprinter Sacre turning for home but managed to shake him off again, powering a length and three-quarters clear.

"Barry Geraghty came looming up alongside me, but my fellow is as tough as old boots," said Brennan.

"His form in bumpers and over hurdles was really solid and he loved the track - he could easily come back here again."

Master Of The Hall survived a final-fence scare in the Not Forgotten Association Beginners' Chase.

Sent off the 10-11 favourite for Nicky Henderson after a light but promising hurdling campaign, he had quickly put the extended two-mile-five-furlong event to bed, with jockey Barry Geraghty still quiet in the saddle approaching home.

But Master Of The Hall was in a muddle at the last, getting far too close to it, and had three and a half lengths to spare over Fredo by the post, rather than a rather wider margin.

"I was going to take off long, but by the time he was at the fence he was in no-man's land," said Geraghty.

"But he jumped out of my hands on the back straight and I had enough left - that's what matters."

Henderson added: "Barry was doing one thing, and the horse was doing something else, but he will learn a lot from this and up to that point he did everything nicely.

"He would get three miles but isn't slow, and could easily go back to two and a half."

Gary Moore's Megastar took a most impressive step out of bumper company in the Robert Giles Agencies Introductory Hurdle.

The 1-2 favourite won a Grade Two on the level at Aintree in the spring and barely put a foot wrong under the trainer's son, Jamie, beating useful Flat performer Smokey Oakey by 16 lengths.

"I'm delighted - that was exactly what I was hoping for," said Gary Moore.

"To be honest, I didn't expect him to win quite as easily as he had a slight setback about a month ago.

"He probably hasn't beaten much but there were Flat horses in there and he showed loads of speed.

"Cue Card battered us at Cheltenham and I won't be in a rush to take him on again.

"I'd like to stay low key for another run and then maybe look at something like the Tolworth at Sandown."

Totesport offer 14-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, with William Hill going 16s.

Punters were evidently confident Matuhi would improve for a transfer to David Pipe, and so it proved in the Intrinsic Financial Services Handicap Chase.

Sent off the 15-8 favourite after having shown decent form last term for Ben de Haan, he shook off the short-lived attentions of Five Dream to record a winning margin of nine lengths.

"He had good form when he came to us and it was just a matter of repeating that, but David has done well with him," said jockey Tom Scudamore.

"He jumped well and loved the ground, so you have to be very happy."