Ascot’s Betfair Alternate Trophy: Gary Moore’s Hansard has sights on huge Saturday prize | Racing Information

Hansard will lead a potential two-pronged assault from coach Gary Moore on the Betfair Alternate Trophy at Ascot on Saturday.

Owned by the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicates, the five-year-old has at all times been held in excessive regard and stepped up on his reappearance second within the Elite Hurdle to hold a monster weight to victory in a aggressive renewal of the Gerry Feilden at Newbury earlier this month.

This was instantly recognized as his subsequent goal Hansard is priced up because the 11/2 second-favourite with the sponsors for a race the place he’ll but once more be tasked with shouldering a hefty weight burden.

Nevertheless, that holds no fears for connections as they give the impression of being to their enhancing hurdler to supply an early Christmas deal with within the £150,000 contest.

“He received properly at Newbury within the Gerry Feilden and roll on Ascot, it is the plain subsequent step for him,” mentioned Fehily.

“It is going to be far more aggressive, I suppose, however we are going to roll the cube and see how we go.

“He carried 12st at Newbury and he’ll be carrying an enormous weight once more, however it’s a handicap for a purpose and that’s what he’s rated.”

Hansard had proven his potential throughout his novice season when ending fourth in Grade One firm at Aintree within the spring and though Fehily feels there may be nonetheless a approach to go earlier than he can step once more into deep waters, there was loads of encouraging indicators on present within the Gerry Feilden.

“He has a bit to go, however when a horse is on the up you by no means know when they may cease enhancing and he definitely appeared like he was getting his act collectively at Newbury,” added Fehily.

“He had been over-racing and his leaping had been a bit sloppy and all the pieces else, however at Newbury he appeared like he was beginning to put all of it collectively and hopefully he’ll keep it up going the proper method.”

Becoming a member of Hansard within the 17 confirmations for the dear prize is Moore’s current Sandown scorer Spirit D’Aunou, whereas Nicky Henderson holds a powerful hand with Greatwood Hurdle winner Iberico Lord heading the ante-post markets and fellow JP McManus-owned stablemate Impose Toi additionally in the direction of the highest of the betting lists.

Greatwood runner-up Lookaway is a potential for Neil King, with Henderson’s Luccia one other stay candidate for the Seven Barrows workforce in a race they final received with Mind Energy in 2016.

Additionally double-handed after Monday’s confirmations is Kerry Lee who has the choice of saddling each Grade Two winner Nemean Lion and the enhancing Black Poppy.

They’re set to endure a key a part of their preparations on Tuesday which might decide which one of many pair, or each, will get the nod for the weekend.

Lee mentioned on Monday: “I am going to wait and see what the climate does and see how they work tomorrow and we’ll work from there. They’re each in good order, however at this stage it is a bit bit early to say.”

Different notable names embody Harry Fry’s Altobelli, who completed second in an analogous warmth at Ascot final time and is simply 1lb larger on this event, and Willie Mullins’ Onlyamatteroftime who may very well be requested to atone for operating out 4 from the end when despatched off favorite for the Greatwood final month.

Watch all of the motion from the Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot on Friday and Saturday stay on Sky Sports activities Racing, with the Betfair Alternate Trophy due off at 3.35pm on Saturday.