Chelsea, Chelsea! De Boinville Ten to Follow pick Cascova makes hurdling debut
2.05 Ascot
Join Kim Bailey Racing "Introductory" Hurdle | 1m7½f | 4yo+ | Sky
The two-tone blue silks of Chelsea Thoroughbreds have become a familiar sight on the Flat in recent years, but the London-based ownership group aim to make a splash over jumps in Ascot's introductory hurdle on Friday with Cascova.
Trained last term by Martyn Meade, Cascova displayed some useful form in bumpers and was leased to the owners for Cheltenham's championship edition in March.
Since then, ownership has been transferred and the four-year-old is one of two jumpers for Chelsea Thoroughbreds along with the well-regarded Cadzand, third in a warm Newbury bumper for Dan Skelton earlier this month.
Now with Nicky Henderson, and included by stable jockey Nico de Boinville in his Tote Ten to Follow, Cascova has spent time learning how to jump with Henrietta Knight and is thrilling his connections.
Watch Cascova win at Huntingdon last year
Mark Speelman, who manages Chelsea's jumps arm, said: "It was encouraging to see Nico put him in his Ten to Follow and he's very smart and is going well at home.
"We've been going on the Flat for a few years, but people have always been interested in jumping and this will keep us busy over the winter – you never know where it will lead.
"We leased Cascova last season and went down in the summer to see him with Nicky, who loved the horse. He looks all over a National Hunt horse and appears to have improved at home, while Henrietta Knight has also done an amazing job with him.
"This is a warm race, Cinders And Ashes was beaten in it [in 2011] before winning the Supreme."
The son of Casamento was second to the exciting Glory And Fortune at Cheltenham in January but receives 5lb from him here. Tom Lacey's runner scored on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon.
Master Debonair is another respected rival from the Colin Tizzard team, while Cyrname's camp introduces interesting French recruit Tamaroc Du Mathan.
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