Ascot Silver Cup tips: Vyta Du Roc value to score for in-form Henderson
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Ascot Silver Cup tips: Vyta Du Roc bets appeal for feature chase
Vyta Du Roc looks decent value to take advantage of a drop in the weights and class to land the valuable Ascot Silver on Saturday (15:00).
The Nicky Henderson trained gelding was a very smart hurdler in 2014/15, finishing a cracking fourth in the Neptune at the Cheltenham Festival and a solid second to subsequent World hurdle winner Thistlecrack in a Grade 1 at Aintree off a rating of 150.
Vyta Du Roc then had his attentions switched to chasing last season and, after scoring at Bangor, ran very well to finish second to Bouveril at Doncaster.
Strong course and distance winning form
This seven-year-old then got back to winning ways when landing Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase over course and distance, digging deep to fend off the late challenge of the highly-regarded Minella Rocco by 1/2 a length.
Minella Rocco went on to land the 4m National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, and ran a blinder on seasonal reappearance when third in a valuable handicap at the same venue to now be rated 159.
That gives the form a rock solid look and the selection went on to finish a fair fifth in the RSA Chase around Prestbury Park, before finishing the campaign with a fine fifth of 28 to Vicente in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
Cracking effort in Hennessy
There was also lots to like about Vyta Du Roc’s return to action at Aintree, when a not knocked about third of four to Un Temps Pour Tout over hurdles when looking badly in need of the outing.
He has since posted an eye-catching effort to finish sixth of 19 to Native River in the Grade 3 Hennessy Gold Cup over 3m 2f at Newbury. Vyta Du Roc travelled well and made good headway four from home before keeping on to be beaten nine lengths.
The Hennessy is one of the hottest handicaps in the horse racing calendar which usually throws-up plenty of subsequent winners, including the eighth home Theatre Guide.
Colin Tizzard’s charge, who finished 7 3/4 lengths behind Vyta Du Roc, has already given the form a boost by going on to land a competitive 12-runner affair at Cheltenham.
Given a chance by the handicapper
Vyta Du Roc has since been dropped 2lb to a mark of 141 and that makes him look dangerously well-treated, particularly on his hurdles form.
This Listed contest also represents an ease in grade, and the son of Lion Noir looks sure to be suited by the drop back to 3m.
Other pluses are that Vyta Du Roc is 1-1 at the venue and hails from a yard in terrific form at present.
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