Debestyman could reappear at Ascot

Ashley Iveson
January 14, 2020 2:45 pm

Handicapper may try again after unlucky Lanzarote departure.

Debestyman may make a swift reappearance at Ascot on Saturday – just seven days after his final-flight exit in the Lanzarote Hurdle.

Suzy Smith’s charge looked set to claim top honours in the prestigious Kempton handicap when blundering and unseating his rider Micheal Nolan at the last obstacle.

Smith reports her charge to be none the worse for the experience and he could bid for compensation in the Matchbook Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle.

“The horse is fine,” said the Lewes trainer.

“He didn’t actually fall, so the jockey had a worse time than he did.

“It was gutting for everyone involved. For a small yard like ours, to win a big race like the Lanzarote would have been brilliant.

“We felt the ground was right and he was suited by the weights – but it wasn’t to be, unfortunately.

“It is what it is. It’s disappointing, because it would have been such a good result, but I’m sure there have been and will be times that we profit from someone else’s misfortune – that’s the way it goes.”

Looking ahead to this weekend’s Grade Three handicap at Ascot, Smith said: “We thought it was worth at least giving him an entry and we’ll have a closer look at it on Thursday or Friday morning.

“We’ll see what the weights are looking like and everything else. It’s two miles and three furlongs, but it will be more like two-and-a-half (miles) racing up that hill.”

If Debestyman is to run at Ascot, he will need to compete from a 6lb-higher mark, having been raised by the handicapper on Tuesday.

He is a best-priced 10-1 for £50,000 contest with William Hill.