Promising Westerton is one to consider at Ascot

May 12

Alan has a high opinion about his three-year-old crop this season, and it will be interesting to see how Westerton shapes in the mile and a quarter handicap at Ascot on Saturday.

Westerton’s back-end second to the useful Artistic Star at Nottingham last back-end is looking smart form, with the third horse having won twice subsequently. He was gelded soon after, and he is bound to improve on his seasonal debut second at Doncaster, which came on top of a six months absence.

Warwick is one of Alan’s favourite courses, so it is no surprise that he sends four horses up the Midlands track for their evening meeting tomorrow.

First up is Forget The Way, who carries the Edwardstone colours in the novice handicap hurdle. He has had wind surgery since running a bit disappointingly at Newbury in March, so, hopefully, that will help him.

Next comes the Highclere-owned Restitution in the eight-runner two mile and five handicap hurdle. This trip seemed to suit him when he finished a good third at Wincanton last month, and the drying ground will also be a plus.

 Lunar Contact ran his best race since joining the Barbury team from Ireland when third at Fontwell last time, and, having won a three-mile point-to-point in his homeland, he will relish this step up in trip. Last but not least is I’d Go Maniac, who makes his debut in the bumper.

Finally, Rafiki also has his first race since undergoing wind surgery when he tries for a third all-weather success in the staying handicap at Lingfield’s polytrack fixture. Oisin Murphy has been booked to ride.

We also have a couple of runners at Ludlow on Sunday. Maid on the Moon bumped into a well-handicapped mare when runner-up at Doncaster and will be interesting over fences for the first time, while Pumpkins Pride, who was a good third at a later Town Moor meeting and would have finished closer but for hanging badly in the closing stages, has a solid chance, too.