Trainer Tom George can see no reason why Olofi will not run well again in The Ladbroke at Ascot this afternoon.

The six-year-old was rewarded for his consistent efforts last time out in the race formerly known as the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham.

"He's in good form and he finally won a big pot last time. We know he can handle soft ground, it certainly won't inconvenience him anyway. He's risen 8lb in the handicap and was entitled to it, but he's very consistent and we hope he'll run well again," said George.

David Pipe won the race in 2006 with Acambo, which followed on the back of two victories for his father, Martin, through Tamarinbleu and Desert Air. This year the Pipe runner is Kazlian, fourth in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham in March but a long way behind Olofi and Cash And Go last time out.

"We've had a good run with him since his last effort at Cheltenham. He won't mind the ground, he won in very deep ground at Ffos Las last year. I think he's got a chance in what looks a very open race. He's made the running before but we'll just wait and see what everybody else does," said Pipe.

Nigel Twiston-Davies is another trainer not too worried about conditions for his runner, Double Ross.

He said: "He loves the soft ground. It doesn't inconvenience him, but it inconveniences the others. He had two quite quick runs together, but we've given him a month off to recover and he's fresh again now."

Edward Harty saddles the JP McManus-owned Princeton Plains, who was last seen going down by a neck in a valuable handicap at Listowel in September. Prior to that, the versatile gelding occupied the same position in a handicap on the Flat at Killarney and was sixth in the Galway Hurdle.

Harty said of his six-year-old: "He's got form on bad ground and he's in good nick. We've had this race in mind for him for a long time, but mainly because we thought we'd get some decent ground for him. Unfortunately, that won't be the case.

"He does go on the ground, but there is no doubt he's better on a decent surface. If they get what's forecast there has to be a doubt whether it will be on. We've kept him fresh after Listowel in September hoping for normal Ascot ground, but we're not going to get it."

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
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Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests