Mega misses Ascot date
Megastar has been forced to miss tomorrow’s Mitie Kennel Gate Novices’ Hurdle at Ascot due to a dirty scope.
Trainer Gary Moore now has to revise plans for the exciting prospect, who made a bright start to his career over jumps with a 16-length romp over the Berkshire course last month.
Moore hopes to run the five-year-old in a novice hurdle at Newbury on December 29 but that would mean it unlikely he would also take in the 32Red Hurdle, registered as the Tolworth Hurdle, at Sandown on January 8.
“He scoped dirty so I can’t run him. It’s a great shame,” said Moore.
“Hopefully he’ll get clean and he’ll go to Newbury on the 29th. It’s for horses that haven’t run more than once over hurdles.
“I wanted to look at the Tolworth as well but that might come too soon after that, but who knows what will happen with the weather.”
A small but select field of six has been declared for tomorrow’s Ascot contest, topped by the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained course winner Frascati Park.
The Paul Nicholls-trained Toubab will be looking to build on his convincing Haydock success of last month, while Nicky Henderson saddles easy Newbury scorer Kid Cassidy.
Alan King is doubly represented by Iolith and Araldur, while Warren Greatrex’s Seeking The Buck completes the sextet.
