Simply Dashing to turn clock back

Take Simply Dashing to turn the clock back and record his first victory for over two years in the Tote Silver Cup at Ascot today. Tim Easterby's eight-year-old last visited the winner's circle in November 1997 when registering an impressive success in the First National Gold Cup at the Berkshire track.

But the gelding has been plagued with respiratory problems since and has failed to build on the promising start he made to his chasing career.

However, he has run several good races in defeat including when runner-up to the likes of Cyfor Malta and Northern Starlight in valuable handicaps at Cheltenham last season, conceding lumps of weight on each occasion.

Simply Dashing reappeared at Wetherby at the end of October and despite choking finished a five-length second to See More Business.

He has since undergone a wind operation and can prove his wellbeing by shrugging off top weight of 12st to land the nap in today's £45,000 contest.

Deano's Beeno can take the day's feature, the Cantor Fitzgerald Long Walk Hurdle. The Martin Pipe-trained seven-year-old finished runner-up to Princeful in the race 12 months ago but went off the boil.

However, he has returned as good as ever as he demonstrated at Newbury last month.

He made all the running and, clear four out, won very easily by 18 lengths and a head from Just Nip and Stayers' Hurdle victor Anzum.

Clearly in good heart, Deano's Beeno cannot be opposed in today's £55,000 Grade One contest.

Monsignor can continue on the road to stardom with victory in the Mitie Group Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle.

Successful in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival in March, Mark Pitman's five-year-old made his hurdling debut over today's course and distance last month and was impressive. He made the running and, jumping well, drew effortlessly clear to slam Sandy Duff by 18 lengths.

Today's race appears a stronger contest but Monsignor can be relied upon to make the necessary improvement to land first prize.

The best bet on Uttoxeter's card can be found in the Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle in the shape of Springfield Scally.

Steve Gollings' six-year-old won five times last term and, judged on his reappearance when he finished a close second, has improved for a summer break.

The gelding returned to action over two miles and five furlongs at Market Rasen in October when he stayed on well from two out to make Aussie Bob pull out all the stops, in the end going down by a head.

The first two that day were well clear and Springfield Scally looks weighted to get off the mark for the campaign.

And Chewit can improve on an encouraging third of 12 to King Priam at Wolverhampton in December - only his second run after a six-month absence - to win the Looks Like Rain Dear Conditions Stakes on Lingfield's all-weather programme.