Rascal Steps Forward To Continue Progression
It has been a fine start to the season for the team at Hambleton Lodge and the horses all seem to be in great condition. Winners have been flowing which is great for the team but what is just as important is that others are running well without getting their head in front. Ventura Rascal was one of this who started the year with promise and quickly built on it by winning the 1 mile Napoleons Casino Bradford Handicap at Pontefract.
Last year saw Ventura Rascal improve and mature throughout the shortened season. Each run was a progression to the point where he got his head in front, initially winning off 63 over 7f. He continued that improvement on the very next start when doubling up on his wins at Beverley. This took his mark to 70 and he did look like he could be a bit better than this. connections decided to take their time with him though and it proved to be his last run. Always a big, raw horse it was felt that another winter would help him develop into the finished article.
That patience did seem to do the trick and he looked great before returning to action this month at Pontefract. It was a race which meant a step up in trip but also in grade. Offering a nice starting point in the season there were queries that would be answered to help plan out the season ahead. Having travelled well throughout the contest he just got a little tired at the furlong pole before finding a second win. Ventura Rascal was entitled to come on for the run having nearly 8 months off. What was proven was that he stayed the mile trip and the grade was no issue at all.
Returning to Pontefract was the logical step when the race came along and with race fitness under his belt Ventura Rascal headed there with confidence. The ten rivals he was set to tackle were all exposed handicappers, set to be tough opposition, but Ventura Rascal was the one who was the only one likely to be an improver. Kevin Stott was booked to ride and he was handed the tricky draw of 11 to overcome, widest of all.
Jumping on terms Kevin had a decision to make. He allowed Ventura Rascal to move forward but never forced him along, checking to see what those inside of him were planning to do. There were not many willing to go forward so Ventura Rascal was able to track over from his wide draw. With his closest rival running free and the jockey looking for cover, Kevin was able to complete his move all the way across to lead the field and set the early fractions. Left alone and with his free going rivals settling behind, Kevin set an easy gallop as Ventura Rascal swung left handed and raced downhill along the back straight.
The field were well bunched behind Ventura Rascal as they continued along down to halfway. He travelled well for Kevin but his rivals were all well positioned to strike once the pace increased. Confident that the trip was no issue Kevin was able to draw his battle plan throughout the race and sat patiently moving towards the home bend with 3f to run. As the left hander came into view Kevin just loosened his grip a little and asked Ventura Rascal to lengthen a little. Wanting momentum into the bend so they could swing off it, Kevin just notched the tempo up slightly. He wasn’t the only one and still the field was bunched up matching Ventura Rascal.
Being the first to do it, Kevin then actually looked to be going strongest as they rounded the bend. Ventura Rascal was stretching the field and just begun to edge away with the pace increase starting to create gaps in the filed. Kevin got lower and lower in the saddle, turning the screw until he swung into the home straight and set sail. The small margin suddenly grew to a couple of lengths and Ventura Rascal was quickening up for the winning post.
With a clear lead Kevin asked for the maximum with 1 1/2f to run and the stiff finish to come. the pair had moved clear but there were a couple of challenges finishing well and working hard to close the gap. At the furlong pole last time Ventura Rascal just got a little tired but with race fitness on his side there was no stopping him now. Although his lead was gently closing Ventura Rascal was not stopping in front. Hitting the raising ground in the final furlong he continued to stretch out for Kevin who was in full drive and giving it his all. As the lead shrunk to 1 1/2 lengths, Ventura Rascal just edged right which gave his rivals a clear view but it was a minimal deviation and the gelding was seeing it out well. He had led from the start and Ventura Rascal had galloped them into submission.
It was great to see Ventura Rascal see out the trip so well and it was nice win, showing a really brave attitude. He had improved all through last year and it looks like there is still room for more. It will be interesting to see what the handicapper does but it would feel as though he will be competing at a similar level next time out. There are plenty of options moving forward and it would be no surprise to see Ventura Rascal rack up some more wins as the season progresses.