Nigel Twiston-Davies’ William Hill Blog: Moet all round at Wincanton, Haydock and Ascot

We were pleased with High Treason’s novices’ hurdle win at Fontwell on Wednesday. He should continue to improve and have more wins to his name in the future.

Elsewhere, the horses have continued to run well. We’re hoping they continue to do so at Wincanton, Haydock and Ascot this Saturday!

Saturday, Wincanton

Our only runner at Wincanton is Guard Your Dreams, who runs in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle (2.05pm). It’s a peculiar race, especially in the market, because we’ve got the longest price, yet I thought he ran very well at Cheltenham on his reappearance, only finishing one-and-a-half lengths behind Rubaud, who was the favourite earlier in the week, and was already race-fit when the two last met, whereas Guard Your Dreams hadn’t been out for 660 days! We’ll have improved for that run, so his price seems quite ridiculous. He could be a bit of a surprise.

Saturday, Haydock

Dameofthecotswolds is first at Haydock in the juvenile hurdle (2.10pm). This is a four-runner race, and I think she’ll probably be rather outclassed here, but there’s good money on offer so we’ll give it a go. Being realistic, Salver should be winning this, but we don’t mind going along to make up the numbers and try our luck.

Next is Cuthbert Dibble in the Pertemps Hurdle qualifier (3.50pm). He’s favourite, and rightly so, as he ran so well at Chepstow last time. I hope he’ll improve now and be able to qualify for the Pertemps at Cheltenham. He loves soft ground, and it’s certainly going to be soft enough at Haydock, so – adding that to his five pounds from Finn Lambert – he should justify favouritism.

Saturday, Ascot

In the Swinley Handicap Chase (3.00pm) we have Torn And Frayed. He’s bottom-weight here, and he’s been running well this season, but I wouldn’t say his form has been sparkling. Luckily, we’ve got better ground this time and, in his case, the better the ground, the better the horse. With that in mind, he might have a chance. Let’s see what he does on the day.

Lastly there is Moet At Upton in the mares’ bumper (4.45pm). She’s the sort to learn and improve from the experience, and there’s bound to be some very expensive horses in here who will outclass her at this stage, but she may be one to watch in the future.