Monet's Garden blossoms at Ascot

Racing: Monet's Garden returned to form with a bang when posting an impressive success in the Commercial First Ascot Chase this…

Racing:Monet's Garden returned to form with a bang when posting an impressive success in the Commercial First Ascot Chase this afternoon.

The Nicky Richards-trained grey turned for home in front and absolutely winged the penultimate obstacle before staying on powerfully for Tony Dobbin.

The 11-10 favourite was almost foot-perfect throughout and responded to Dobbin's urgings to readily hold runner-up Thisthatandtother by eight lengths.

Dobbin had settled his mount towards the rear throughout the early stages as Irish raiders Central House and Fota Island disputed the lead.

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The latter was still in contention and moving well as Monet's Garden drew alongside three-out, but the writing was soon on the wall for the JP McManus-owned gelding.

River City was also moving eyecatchingly as he tracked the principals into the home straight but the 20-1 shot's effort soon told as Monet's Garden poured on the pressure up front.

Once Dobbin asked his partner to settle the issue, the result was not in doubt and an emphatic victory was sealed when he measured the last perfectly.

Thisthatandtother stayed on well to grab the silver medal but never posed a serious threat to the winner, while River City kept going to claim third, three lengths behind the runner-up.

Richards was pleased to see Monet's Garden put a disappointing run in the King George VI
Chase well behind him.

He said: "That was a bit better and was back to normal. He didn't stay overnight this time and the boxdriver and my daughter left the yard just before five this morning, so it is a good effort on their part.

"He looked a little dehydrated in the paddock before Kempton as his skin was tight and he ran similar to the Relkeel at Cheltenham, but it is easy to make excuses after the event.

"He had a good prep for this, Tony said he felt grand and he was in very good fettle."

Monet's Garden is now the 9-4 favourite for the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with Blue Square while VC Bet make him their 5-2 market leader for the same event.

However, Richards' charge is also entered in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase.

The trainer added: "I don't know which race he will run in at Cheltenham. I will discuss the Gold Cup but I would say that is doubtful. If the ground was slow he could go for the Champion Chase, but I think he wants good ground and if we get that the Ryanair would suit him best of all."

Elsewhere Straw Bear produced a power-packed performance to run away with the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton.
Sent off the well-supported 8-11 favourite, Nick Gifford's stable star was always travelling well and had market rival Afsoun hard at work on straightening for home.
The result was never in doubt from that moment on and Tony McCoy merely had to hold the six-year-old together to cruise to a seven-length triumph over Nicky Henderson's 11-8 chance.
"They went quicker today and the reason we came here was to jump at speed," Gifford explained.
"I think we're still chasing places in the Champion because, with no disrespect to Afsoun, the Irish horses have been there and done it."
Of his runner-up, Henderson added: "I have absolutely no excuses and I thought Straw Bear was impressive today.
"Mick said he jumped well and travelled well. Trevor (Hemmings, owner) was not here today so we'll have to think about the future."