Man Of Plenty not out of it at 50s

Although the ill-starred Starchitect would have won the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup but for his fatal injury, it was hard not to feel for Clan Des Obeaux, who worked hard over an inadequate trip and finally hit the front, only to be run out of it by a horse receiving 24lb.

I have nothing against Guitar Pete, needless to say, and there must have been a few supporters because he looked a bit short at 9/1; he avoided the sort of mistake which ruled him out of the BetVictor quite early on the time before.

I’m not sure I can recall a card as classy as this Saturday’s at Ascot so close to Christmas but we should all be pleased and relieved. Nicky Henderson is in flying form now and I think his L’AMI SERGE will be the one to beat in the Long Walk Hurdle. There were times last season when Unowhatimeanharry seemed virtually unstoppable over a distance of ground but he missed out in the Stayers’ Hurdle, had to work very hard to turn things round with Nichols Canyon at Punchestown and now has a little to prove after failing to catch shock winner Beer Goggles at Newbury.

L’Ami Serge did well to chase up Lil Rockerfeller here last time, especially as he had been absent since a splendid Grade 1 victory at Auteuil. He will be better in with course specialist Lil Rockerfeller and strikes me as the value in the race at around 9/2.

Henderson also has prospects with Charli Parcs in the very valuable handicap hurdle which rounds things off, especially as Philip Hobbs does not re-oppose with Poppy Kay, not far behind him in a warm affair at Newbury recently.

If you like the form of A Hare’s Breath’s victory at Cheltenham, you will respect the each-way chances of a pair at fancy prices. Caid du Lin ran his heart out in second and can be backed at 22/1, while Master Of Plenty, just out of the handicap, is ignored at 50s. Yet he comes into the argument and is particularly well handicapped with Caid du Lin, having finished fifth in the Cheltenham race. A good claimer effectively brings him back into the handicap proper and he may surprise a few people. I fancy him for a place rather than the win but you look such a complete idiot when they win at that sort of price that I suppose I’m thinking along the lines of ten win and thirty modest units to place. The dividends can be alarmingly poor sometimes but Master Of Plenty is unfashionably trained and ridden and should pay 10/1 for a place. It’s an optimistic shout but a reasonable one. I shall also cover Charli Parcs.