Nassalam

Nassalam was really well backed for the Byrne Group Chase at Ascot last Saturday, and he only finished fifth in the end, but it may pay to retain the faith, when he can get back on softer ground and when he can go left-handed again. Sent off as favourite in the end, he was left in front when Monsieur Le Coq departed at the second fence, but he continually gave away ground by jumping to his left. Passed by Before Midnight and Frero Banbou on the run into Swinley Bottom, he came under a ride on the run up the side of the track, where his jumping wasn’t good, and he had dropped to fifth by the time they got to the home turn. He just kept on over the final two fences and he finished fifth, over 20 lengths behind the impressive winner Thyme White.

Nassalam had jumped to his left before, including when he won at this meeting last year, so you can easily forgive him this. Gary Moore’s horse did well to win the novices’ handicap chase at this meeting last year, but the ground was softer last year, and he wasn’t as markedly out to his left as he was this time. All his best runs have been on soft ground, so he will be of interest now when he gets back on soft ground and ideally moves to a left-handed track. He holds an entry in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham this Saturday and, if the ground comes up on the soft side, he will be of interest if he takes his chance in that.
Ascot, 29^th October 2022