Alasi

23rd-Nov-2013

It is a little frustrating when three horses that you wanted to back next time line up in the same race, but that is the case with Drumshambo, Alasi and Viva Colonia here. Of the three at the prices, Alasi is the one that represents best value in the race in my book, and I am backing her.

Drumshambo was really impressive in winning over today’s course and distance last month in a good time, and he could easily do the same again, but he is priced up just about right at around 7/2. On the negative side, everything went right for him last time, he may not have it all his own way today with Saved By John, Kie and King Edmund all possible front-runners. Also, he is up 9lb for that win to a career-high mark and, at just 7/2, I am leaving him alone.

Viva Colonia ran a cracker last time to finish third behind Conquisto at Aintree, when he was the only horse to get into it from the rear. However, that race was run over two and a half miles, and it may be that he needs that trip at least to be at his best. The probable fast pace today will help him in this regard but, even off a fast pace at a stiff track like Ascot, he still may need two and a half miles. He could even be better over further. Reluctantly, I am leaving him alone.

Alasi also has form over two and a half miles, but she is also effective over two miles, and the fast pace will help her today also. She ran a really nice race over hurdles at Wetherby on her debut this term. She was really weak in the market beforehand, but she travelled well and looked a likely winner when she took it up on the run to the third last. She couldn’t match the strength of Cockney Sparrow when that mare came past, but she stuck on well to retain third spot.

She should come on appreciably for that, her seasonal debut. Her first two runs last season were also over hurdles, before she went to Kempton and beat Champion Court in what was admittedly a messy enough three-horse race. However, that performance did prove that she can be effective when puts it all together.

She is as good a chaser as she is a hurdler, and she proved that she can go well at Ascot when she finished third behind Sparky May in a Grade 2 three-mile mares’ hurdle there in January 2011 on her last visit to the track. She goes well right-handed, her best runs have been at Kempton and Sandown, and she could run a big race today.

ALASI WON (ADV 13/2, SP 5/1)

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