Activial and Jolly’s Cracked It are Noel Fehily’s Ascot hopes
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I am hoping for a better day than last Saturday at Cheltenham where Summerville Boy was very disappointing again in the International Hurdle. He probably ran worse than he did in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle.
I don’t know what’s up with him and Tom George hasn’t found anything wrong with him. I am sure something will come out eventually as he is running a long way below his form from last season.
I am at Ascot today where I start with Lough Ryn (12.40) who is high enough in the handicap for what he has done. As a result he could be up against it in this race on what he has achieved so far.
I thought Activial (1.15) ran a very good race last time. He had lost his way over fences and he looks like he is getting his confidence back.
So it was a good performance to win at Haydock considering how big the fences were round there.
On ratings only Dolos has a higher figure than Activial but on his last race I think he would have a good chance.
The more rain the better for Overtown Express (1.50) who loves soft ground. He had a very good first run last season at Newbury. If he could produce something like that he will run very well.
He is very ground dependent and when it is really soft he does run well. I’d say it probably will be soft. Don’t rule him out as he would have an each way chance if it is very testing.
The Last Samuri (3.00) has been in very good form at home. This will be his first run for Harry Fry so we are still learning a bit about him.
He’s been a good horse for Kim Bailey in the past and if he could run somewhere near the form he produced for him, he can run a respectable race.
Jolly’s Cracked It (3.35) won this race three years ago and loves it round Ascot, where he always runs well.
I was very impressed with him last time when he won at Ascot after nearly two years off. It was a great performance by the trainer to get him back after 700 odd days.
If he could reproduce that or maybe improve a bit from it he has got to be there or thereabouts. I’d like to think he can improve a little bit, he needs to, but he is entitled to for his first run.
He and Activial will be my best chances on the card.
Noel
