Ascot reveals Cheltenham pointers

Zaynar did little to enhance his position as a red-hot favourite for the JCB Triumph Hurdle despite drawing eight lengths clear of his rivals at Ascot.

The grey made a dazzling jumping debut exactly a month ago at Newbury and had reportedly progressed in the interim, resulting in his odds of 1-5 against some other previous winners in the Execution Ltd Juvenile Novices' Hurdle.

Zaynar's supporters were put on edge when he fluffed the first flight and was laboured at others before Barry Geraghty resorted to the whip turning for the finish.

His class eventually told but bookmakers were not overly impressed and his Cheltenham odds remained unchanged at a general 7-2.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: ‘He boshed the first and it shook him up.

‘The net result was very good but I would have liked to see him travel better.

‘I would like to give him another run - he does need more experience and he wants a good gallop too.

‘The further he goes the more gears he finds and off he goes.

‘He is in the Triumph and I will give him an entry in the Ballymore Properties too.’

Gary and Jamie Moore combined through 16-1 shot Panjo Bere to overturn Calgary Bay and Free World in the Montpelier Group Lightning Novices' Chase.

The top two had serious pretensions for the Arkle Trophy and duelled for the lead for much of the way before Panjo Bere appeared unannounced at the second-last.

The 4-5 favourite Free World folded in an instant and the 3lb Calgary Bay was conceding to Panjo Bere told as he was defeated by a respectable three-quarters of a length.

Moore senior said: ‘The owner Mr Kiernan died a year ago and always wanted a good horse and it looks like he has one now.

‘The Arkle has always been in the back of my mind because he jumps so well, if he was trained by someone more famous he'd probably be shorter in the betting.

‘He didn't stay two miles three last time and the only concern I would have about Cheltenham is he does love soft ground.’

Calgary Bay's trainer Henrietta Knight reported: ‘He has run a very good race but is a different horse going left-handed. He lugged left all the way and that has confirmed what we thought last year although that doesn't affect his jumping.

‘He'll go to the Arkle now and won't run again beforehand.’

Free World was 16 lengths further back and Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls' assistant trainer, said: ‘Calgary Bay was breathing down his neck and put him under pressure.

‘Ruby (Walsh) asked him for a big jump four out and it wasn't there. The horse didn't quite get home and might want better ground.’

Lough Derg (9-1) confirmed his hard-as-nails reputation by steadfastly refusing to give up the lead in the victorchandler.com Holloway's Hurdle.

Tom Scudamore punched the air as they collected the Grade Two limited handicap under top weight for the second consecutive year.

Trainer David Pipe said: ‘He means a lot to Pond House. He just keeps pulling out more and I don't know why but he seems to be 5lb or 10lb better around here.

‘It's up to the owner but we could even be tempted to run in the Cleeve at Cheltenham next weekend.’

Even-money favourite United proved the class act in the Warfield Mares' Hurdle, keeping enough in hand despite a strong challenge from Sweetheart.

‘She was made to battle, but she wants to win and that's the main thing,’ said trainer Lucy Wadham.

‘I'll see how she is and we might go to the National Spirit at Fontwell next, but her main target is the David Nicholson Mares Race at Cheltenham."

Miss Mitch (8-1) built on the promise of her third to Gwanako at the course last month by running her rivals ragged in the 1942 Was A Vintage Year Handicap Chase.

Trainer Sally Alner beamed: ‘We were hoping she would get in the race and Rob Walford said he would ride her aggressively - which is what he did - so it's unbelievable.

‘I'll enter her for the three-mile handicap at Cheltenham just as a bit of fun.’

A terrific group of young prospects gathered for the finale, the Rosling King Llp EBF National Hunt Novices' Hurdle, but it was turned into a procession by Alan King's Karabak (5-2), who beat 9-4 favourite Kangaroo Court by 14 lengths.

‘It looked a very good race and he has given most of them weight,’ said King.

‘He is better on quicker ground too. I think it will be the Ballymore at Cheltenham and you won't see him again before that.’