Michael Owen Makes Riding Debut In Meeting Opener At Ascot

Michael Owen Makes Riding Debut In Meeting Opener At Ascot
10:23, 24 Nov 2017

Retired athletes often speak about missing the adrenaline rush of being in the thick of sporting action. Michael Owen, who makes his race-riding debut today in a charity race at Ascot, is taking drastic measures to get that feeling back again.

The card at the Berkshire venue will be attended by the great and good of British racing on the first day of a two day meet. There are meetings today, too, both at Catterick and in Wales at Ffos Las. Flat fans are kept busy by nighttime cards at Newcastle and, over the water, at Dundalk. We’ve picked out some stories, some pointers, and some runners of interest from a fine day of action across these isles.

Champion jockey Richard Johnson took a fall at Wincanton yesterday and had to be stood down but, grimly determined as ever, he’s back in the groove at Ascot today. He rides the fav in the 13:00 - Tindle Newspapers Beginners' Chase in the shape of Philip Hobbs’ Sternrubin. A fine performer on the level and over timber, he was only beaten by the useful Yanworth on his chasing debut last time at Exeter and, although that one took a tumble next time out, that form is strong.

There’s two live dangers in a field of four. Colin Tizzard’s Sizing Tennessee struggles to get his head in front but ran well behind a useful rival himself last time, and Black Corton has since franked that form when winning at Cheltenham. Paul Nicholl’s runs Dolos to complete the list of three contenders in a warm little affair to start the two-dayer off at Ascot.

Harry Fry’s string have been in sparking form of late, with 14 of them going in from 42 runners for a strike-rate of 33.33% over the last month. Among three runners today, he saddles Mr One More in the 14:05 - David Brownlow Charitable Foundation 'Introductory' Hurdle at Ascot and he’s surely got a live chance. He’s two from two under rules, having followed up a bumper win by scoring over hurdles at Stratford. He should do his trainer’s strike-rate no harm with Barry Geraghty aboard.

Down on the all-weather on Dundalk and the star of the Irish flat season, champion jockey Colin Keane, is back from a brief holiday and back in action. The young rider’s progression has illuminated a lot of long nights at Dundalk this campaign and he has a few intriguing rides tonight, as always.

Elegant Drama goes in the 8:00 - Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden and might be up to winning first time out in a weak event. This Dandmany filly of Ger Lyons wasn’t a cheap purchase and is well-related. You shouldn’t imagine Keane would be getting up on her fresh off his holiday if she wasn’t in with a squeak. The early money is coming in and she’s been backed into odds-on already. You fancy that cash will keep coming and she’ll go off a skinny, skinny price. Not a betting proposition perhaps but one to watch on debut with the champ in the saddle.

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