Carruthers takes Ascot glory
Carruthers put up an exemplary round of jumping to win the Sodexho Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot today.
Part-owned by legendary former jockey Lord Oaksey and trained by Mark Bradstock, Mattie Batchelor was given an armchair ride by the six-year-old who saw off some exalted rivals at odds of 7-4.
Feltham winner Breedsbreeze could never get on terms and looked a tired horse when he fell at the last, leaving Carruthers to come home a distance clear Ballyfitz.
The winner was quoted at 8-1 by both Victor Chandler and Paddy Power for the RSA Chase.
Bradstock said: "He has tended to jump left-handed so he could be better the other way.
"We will have to see how he comes out of this - I'm just warning people that he won't definitely be going to Cheltenham as he's such a baby and I don't want to ruin him completely.
"He could go to Aintree or Punchestown instead but we will just have to see."
Serabad (16-1) edged out Lough Derg in a stunning finish to the Betfair Your Perfect Match Handicap Hurdle.
Superlatives are running dry to describe the tenacious Lough Derg, who set out to make the running despite conceding more than a stone all-round and he continued to pull out extra as rivals gathered around him.
Five were in with a squeak after the last but Paddy Brennan just gained the upper hand flashing past the line to collect by a head.
"I'm delighted - I wasn't quite sure he had won but he is a horse who only just does enough and two and a half miles seems to suit him," explained trainer Peter Bowen.
"We'll probably go for the Coral (Cup) Hurdle now, depending on how he is."
Voy Por Ustedes (6-5 favourite) oozed class in winning the Betfair Ascot Chase to cement his position at the head of the market for the Ryanair Chase.
The Grade One contest only attracted four runners but Robert Thornton was keen not to let Tamarinbleu get away from him in the early stages.
Ruby Walsh looked a threat turning into the straight on Gwanako but Alan King's charge soon saw him off and pulled clear to win by 14 lengths.
Victor Chandler make him their 5-2 favourite (from 3-1) for the Ryanair Chase.
King said: "I've been in a dreadful state all day and I very nearly didn't run him because of the ground but Barry Simpson (owner's racing manager) and I talked about it and we thought it would be rather pathetic not to run.
"Two and a half miles probably just helps him jump a bit better and he is a special horse.
"We'll leave him in the Queen Mother but provided Master Minded goes there, we'll probably be running in the Ryanair."
