Ascot review: Count Meribel 25/1 for Albert Bartlett
More news from Ascot, where Count Meribel continued his rise up the ranks to earn a Cheltenham Festival quote.
Count Meribel ground his rivals into submission to complete a hat-trick in the Mitie Events & Leisure Novices' Hurdle at Ascot.
Having recorded a brace at Carlisle. the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained five-year-old benefited from a smart front-running ride by Mark Grant to run out an eight-length winner of the extended two-mile-five contest.
The winner was introduced at 25/1 with Sky Bet for the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.
Jim Old, representing the winning trainer, said of the 7/2 chance: "I brought him as a foal and he looks good now. Last year he kept getting beat and we couldn't think why.
"I just think he has grown up and is stronger. He is getting better all the time.
"I'm sure we will go up to three miles. We have got to be thinking of saving a bit of petrol for the Albert Bartlett.
"Mark is so underrated. He does ride jolly well and works so hard."
Toviere appeared to appreciate the step back up to three miles after landing a tenacious success in the BAM Construct UK Chase.
Although out of luck on his first two starts over fences, the Oliver Sherwood-trained six-year-old was not to be denied on this occasion as he held off the persistent challenge of Clondaw Cian by a neck.
Sherwood said of the 12/1 winner "The little bit of experience helped him. He was like a little cat.
"Handicap company was always going to be his scene. The only thing I was slightly concerned about was the ground. He has grown up and is much stronger now.
"He tried and wanted it and he will get further in time. He is just an honest, genuine horse."
Jockey Max Kendrick enjoyed a moment to savour after Graceful Legend (11/1) provided him with a first winner at the track in the Trisoft Mares' Handicap Hurdle.
The Ben Case-trained six-year-old opened her account for the campaign when she stayed on strongly after the last to defeat Jester Jet by five lengths.
Kendrick said : "It is my first Ascot winner and that's brilliant.
"It is my first winner back since breaking my collarbone and it is a good place to do it. She (Graceful Legend) is amazing."
Case added: "She is tough and I probably ran her too soon after Stratford.
"I was running her thinking I could get some black type at Wetherby and she didn't really run any sort of race.
"We thought the step up in trip would help. Max won on her twice last year and it is nice for him to have a winner here."
Sir Valentino denied Value Bet followers another winner when he found enough to hold off a challenge from Cepage in the Shawbrook Handicap Chase.
Tom George's horse had been pulled up on his return to action in the Haldon Gold Cup but showed that run to be all run by winning on his first visit to Ascot.
In the concluding Elite AV Standard Open NH Flat Race, Pauling doubled up when Nestor Park (6/1) got the better of the well-backed Portrush Ted to win by a neck.
It was in fact a treble on the day for the trainer, who also saddled the winner of the opening race at Haydock.
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