2.05 Ascot: Can Emma Lavelle get it right when it matters with the well-handicapped My Silver Lining?

There have been questions over the form of the Emma Lavelle stable during the past few weeks, but we may get some answers on Saturday because she runs stable star Ma Shantou at Haydock, and also has three chances at Ascot, including My Silver Lining in this race.

My Silver Lining had her finest hour when landing the Classic Chase at Warwick in January last year, but is without a win since. The upside, however, is she is now 2lb lower than for that success.

My Silver Lining is evidently handicapped to win again and she shaped well when returning from more than seven months off at Fontwell last month. She finished only fourth and was behind Lord Accord and Largy Poet, who reoppose, but this stiffer test will definitely suit her.

The best part of four miles around Ascot, with a stiff uphill finish, is exactly what My Silver Lining needs to show her best and, provided the stable form doesn’t stop her, she can go well.

There are certainly no concerns about the form of Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies’ string because they have been banging in winners regularly over the last couple of weeks. It will therefore be fascinating to see whether The Newest One can continue their red-hot recent run.

The Newest One is another who has dropped significantly in the weights, to a mark 2lb lower than when last successful at Cheltenham in October last year, and he also ran his best race for some time when seventh of 18 at that track last month. He was given peace up front that day.

That form was franked when Hung Jury, who finished a place behind The Newest One, was successful back at Cheltenham last week. The Twiston-Davies yard won this race last season with Beauport, so maybe that is a hint that they have had the race in mind for The Newest One all along.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Sam Thomas, trainer of Our Power
Touch wood, he's none the worse for his spill at Aintree. He's jumped ten fences round a point-to-point track since – he did two laps and loved it. He showed all his normal zest, and there's no reason why we shouldn’t run him. He's won at Ascot, and running over a bit further will help. It’s a tough ask off top weight, but I was really happy with him before Aintree.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Largy Poet
He ran very well at Fontwell. He’s not the best handicapped horse in training, but has got a chance.

Fergal O’Brien, trainer of Manothepeople
He’s on a very high mark, but seems in great form. I’m very happy with him and there’s no reason why he won’t take to the track.

Henry Daly, trainer of Rapper
He’s been off a long time with a bit of a problem, but is on his way back now. I think the trip suits him, but I can’t be sure it will after a year off. Conditions look fine for him, and he’s been round Ascot a few times.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Lord Accord
We put blinkers on him for the first time at Fontwell and they did the trick. Things were very much on his terms that day – most of his rivals were having their first run of the season – but he jumped well and won nicely. We were going to run in the cross-country chase at Cheltenham but it was abandoned, so we’ve found him something else.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Regarde
He ran very well on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham. He’s been put up 2lb since, but Joe Anderson takes 3lb off. The step up in trip will suit, he has a nice light weight, and hopefully will pick up some prize-money.

Willy Twiston-Davies, joint-trainer of The Newest One
The trip and ground will suit, and I’m hoping he can pick up some prize-money.

Emma Lavelle, trainer of My Silver Lining
Any rain would be useful for her. I was very pleased with her first run at Fontwell. It was the wrong track for her. She’s a stayer and we know she likes this sort of distance. Ascot provides a big jumping test, and that’s a major asset of hers.

Reporting by Richard Birch

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