ALTOBELLI ASSERTS AT ASCOT

Altobelli completed a superb twenty-four hours for the yard with an impressive victory in a Class 2 handicap hurdle over two and a half miles at Ascot on Saturday, 18 January in the colours of Charlie Walker and Jonny Craig.

It came hot on the heels of the stylish success of Gidleigh Park at Windsor the previous day. Both were very well ridden by Bryan Carver.

We’ve had more than our share of near misses this season but the horses continue to run well and it feels good to have had two winners on such a high-profile racing weekend.

The return to a longer trip and the application of cheekpieces both helped Altobelli produce such a pleasing performance.

His jumping was slick and he stayed on strongly from the turn into the straight, led at the last flight and beat Aston Martini by one and three-quarter lengths.

He was going away at the finish and while he handled conditions fine he would prefer softer ground. Hopefully, there is more to come from Altobelli who could return to Ascot in a month’s time for a Class 2 £50,000 handicap hurdle over the same distance.