Aerlite Could Rule Supreme At Ascot

My Murphy ended the blog's lean spell in style with a scintillating round of jumping in the Thyestes at Gowran Park. A couple of people have asked me how I could tip up a horse that has been pulled up on his last run, but I have learned over the years that some runs should be taken with a pinch of salt and My Murphy's overall profile suggested that he was laid out for yesterdays race. He was held up at Leopardstown, and as I explained yesterday he is at his best when he races prominently throughout. He was never out of the first four on Thursday and he repelled the late challenge of Mala Beach to score in style.

Saturday's selection goes in the feature race at Ascot, the Bet365 chase (2m5f), and the horse that I like the look of is Aerlite Supreme for shrewd operator Evan Williams. This 9yo son of Gold Well used to be trained in Ireland by Michael Hourigan, and he showed decent form when beating As De Ferbet in a novice chase at Thurles (18f soft) back in November 2014. He was highly tried in the grade 1 Drinmore next time out, when he was pulled up, and again ran poorly on his next run in a grade 2 heat at Limerick. He was subsequently sold and Williams forked out 30k for him at the sales back in May.

He has been running solely over hurdles this season, and he ran a lovely race on his 2nd start for the yard at Haydock (19f soft) back in November after a poor seasonal reappearance here in October. He finished runner up at Haydock and he was kept to the smaller obstacles in two quick runs over Xmas. His last run at Wincanton (21.5 soft) wasn't as bad as his finishing position suggests (beaten only 8L), and he has been given a month off to freshen him up for his belated return to the larger obstacles.

He gets in off a mark of 132 and it would be no surprise if he proved to be better than that over fences. He has won over 20f on heavy at Limerick, so he should get the trip, and he has also won on good ground which illustrates his versatility. Adam Wedge takes the ride with Paul Moloney still out injured, and he knows him well having ridden him to be 2nd at Haydock. At his current odds of 28/1 he looks worthy of a small each way interest in a very open looking Bet365 Handicap Chase.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 3.35 ASCOT AERLITE SUPREME 28/1 E/W