Ascot Champ

       Israel Champ - Winner at Ascot

It was a great performance by Israel Champ at Ascot yesterday as he won the Listed Bumper under Tom Scu.  Probably the second most hotly contested bumper after the Festivival Bumper he gave four pounds and a beating to some very useful rivals.  It was hard work in testing ground conditions on the track but he galloped on relentlessly to the line for an impressive win.  He was not bought to be a bumper horse and after slightly disappointing on his yard debut at Worcester he has done nothing but improve.  The Cheltenham Festival Bumper in March is now under consideration and I see the bookies have him pencilled in as favourite but I am sure there will be plenty of good horses still to come out from both sides of the Irish Sea!

David has three runners today, two at Haydock and one at Ascot.  Dell'arca runs in the 2.05pm handicap hurdle over three miles at Haydock.  Fergus Gillard is riding for the first time and claims a valuable seven pounds off his back.  He has been slightly out of sorts of late over fences but he returns to hurdles and he is very talented on his day and won't mind the testing conditions.  He is the outsider of the field but if he bounces back to form he should go okay.  Daklondike runs in the 2.40pm Tommy Whittle handicap chase with David Noonan in the saddle.  He won the race last year and we are hoping for a repeat performance!  He is a very talented but quirky character and ran okay in the Hennessy to finish midfield.  Today's softer conditions will suite and fingers crossed he is in good form and he should run well. 

We have just heard that Ascot are holding a further inspection at 11.30am but fingers crossed racing will get the go ahead.  It was very testing at the track yesterday so it will be the same again today with a bit more rain at the course overnight.  Umbrigado runs in the 3.40pm valuable handicap hurdle over two miles.  He won't mind the testing conditions and although he drops back markedly in trip from Haydock last time he has plenty of speed and you will need plenty of stamina in today's conditions.  Tom Scu rides and the bookies have him at about 8/1 second favourite.  Hopefully he should not be too far away.