Theclockisticking ready for Sky Bet Supreme Trial at Ascot
Stuart Edmunds hopes Theclockisticking can establish himself among the novice hurdling elite at Ascot on Friday.
He runs in the latest Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle at Ascot on Friday and is 13/2 with the sponsors to follow-up impressive wins at Fakenham and Huntingdon.
The trainer said: "Theclockisticking is in good form and we intend to run him at Ascot on Friday. We have to step him up in grade because of what he has done. The handicapper has given him a lofty mark (140) and I hope that he is right.
"He is a very lazy horse at home - he gives you a nice feel without being flash - and we were a little bit surprised with his win first time out. "I had always got him down as a two and a half-miler and then the race at Fakenham cut up, so that's the only reason we started him off over two miles.
"I still think that he will improve with the step up to two and a half, but we have to remain over this distance until he proves that we need to go up in trip. He is not proven on softer ground, but I think that he will cope with it. The ground shouldn't hopefully be too bad at Ascot and we need to dip our toe to see how good we are."
"There's a lot to like about this performance." - @dpcleary says Theclockisticking is one to follow this season. #TheVerdict pic.twitter.com/bdsRvbpgZB
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) November 20, 2017
The Ascot race promises to be a significant trial for the Sky Bet Supreme itself in March.
Nicky Henderson has entered both 2/1 favourite Claimantakinforgan , who made the perfect start to his hurdling career when successful at Newbury on November 9, and impressive Fontwell and taunton scorer Diese Des Bieffes (7/1).
Slate House (3/1) landed the opening race in the series when successful in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial at Cheltenham last month and will have to carry a five-pound penalty on Friday.
If The Cap Fits (Harry Fry ) has made the perfect start to his hurdling career with two wins from as many starts. The five-year-old, owned by Paul and Clare Rooney, has scored very comfortably at Exeter and Bangor this season.
The trainer could also rely on the JP McManus-owned Mr One More (7/1), who is also undefeated in two outings over hurdles this season, most recently scoring over Friday's course and distance in November when he beat Dr Des (Henry Oliver, 12/1) by a neck.
Michael Shinners, Racing PR Manager at Sky Bet, said: "We are all set for what should be a terrific renewal of the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle at Ascot on Friday.
"Having won the opening race of the series at Cheltenham last month, Slate House sets the standard, although he will have to carry a 5lb penalty for that G2 success.
"Nicky Henderson has a formidable record in this race and his smart bumper performer Claimantakinforgan is Sky Bet's 2/1 favourite following a smooth success at Newbury last time.
"Several of the other contenders have also made very impressive starts to their hurdling careers and we look set for a cracking contest."
Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle, Ascot - sponsors bet: 2/1 Claimantakinforgan; 3/1 Slate House; 7/2 If The Cap Fits; 13/2 Theclockisticking; 7/1 Diese Des Bieffes, Mr One More; 10/1 Destrier; 12/1 Dr Des; 14/1 Tikkanbar; 16/1 Coeur Blimey; 20/1 Irish Prophecy; 33/1 Clondaw Castle, Mahari
Each-Way: 1/5 - 1, 2, 3
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