Ascot & Haydock selections Saturday 14th February
All the jumps fixtures have survived the wet, then cold weather so we have a full programme to look forward to. There are plenty of good Cheltenham trials in graded contests, but there are also a selections of very good handicaps to enjoy and that is where my focus is.
Haydock 1.28: Throatlash
One of the biggest horses in training, THROATLASH has been a horse transformed this season since being switched to front running tactics that make use of his bold jumping style. Despite going up 18lbs for the three wins gained this season, I still think there is enough in the locker to make it four today.
His first two wins came at 2m at Wetherby and Aintree, two similar flat left-handed tracks, bit it was his performance here up to 2m4f that was his most meritorious yet, getting most of his rivals in trouble from some way out with his fluent leaping.
He has shown he can handle soft ground in the past, so more testing conditions should not be an issue today and whilst there might be some competition for the lead, Throatlash showed at Aintree that he can take a lead and still win, so Brian Hughes does not need to get involved in a speed duel early.
Ascot 2.25: Fiercely Proud & No Ordinary Joe
I think there is plenty of value to be had in this open looking handicap and I am having two each-way bets at decent odds.
FIERCELY PROUD last tasted success on this track in the valuable Ladbroke Hurdle last season fro just a 5lbs lower mark than today, but apart from one exception has barely beaten a horse home since. However those runs have all been in the highest grade of 2m handicaps and I am very hopeful that the slightly more genteel pace over 2m3f will see him to better effect today.
His one decent run since was when staying on into fifth in the Greatwood at Cheltenham, doing his best work up the hill having got outpaced two out. He is a classy if quirky individual, but he is settling better in his races which gives me optimism that he will now be better suited at this longer distance where Kielan Woods can be a little more patient with the riding tactics.
NO ORDINARY JOE has not been troubling for the judges for a couple of seasons now, and not really featured at all since joining Faye Bramley this term. However I thought he ran a bit better at Windsor over an inadequate 2m last time and this is surely a more suitable distance.
He was rated as high as 143 after finishing second at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023, and was seventh there off 140 a season later at a time when the Henderson horses were off form. It has been slim pickings since, but as a result his rating has tumbled to 124 and with Ben Macey taking off a further 5lbs he has a very low weight today. Add in first time cheekpieces on top of a recent wind op, then there is hope at huge odds that we will a stronger performance today.
Ascot 3.00: Nocte Volatus
He may be eleven now, but NOCTE VOLATUS is still unexposed at 3m and against a field that contains plenty of fellow veterans, Tom Laceys’ charge still has sound claims.
He has taken advantage of those veterans only races to win a qualifier at Warwick before going on to land the final itself at Sandown last month. That day, jockey Stan Sheppard was able to track the pacesetters before pouncing late and I think similar tactics will be an effective one here too.
He has a good performance at this track already to his name when chasing home Gemirande over 2m5f last season, but he definitely looks to have improved for moving up in distance for this season.
Haydock 3.15: Deafening Silence
Although he probably did not quite get home over 3m7f on the undulating Chepstow track in the Welsh National, DEAFENING SILENCE showed he belongs in these marathon contests and returned to a sharper track can last home successfully today.
Usually ridden with plenty of patience, he has taken his form up a notch this season, starting with a fine second over 3m in the Rehearsal at Newcastle. That race was a stepping stone for the Welsh National and he ran a personal best at Chepstow, holding every chance two out before being outstayed by Haiti Couleurs.
I think a flat track will suit the selection better as it will place a little less emphasis on stamina. Whilst favourite Myretown is a horse I very much admire, his jumping still leaves plenty to be desired and at an each-way price, Deafening Silence looks the safer option.
Recommended bets:
1pt win – Throatlash – 1.28 Haydock – 15/8 general
1pt each-way – Fiercely Proud – 2.25 Ascot – 11/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
0.5pts each-way – No Ordinary Joe – 2.25 Ascot – 11/1 general (most bookies 1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt each-way – Nocte Volatus – 3.00 Ascot – 14/1 William Hill (¼ odds 1st 3)
1pt each-way – Deafening Silence – 3.15 Haydock – 13/2 Paddy Power (1/5 odds 1st 4)
