Review of the racing from Ascot: Charlie Longsdon's Masterplan comes together

News of the rest of the action from Ascot where Masterplan won over hurdles at the eighth time of asking.

Masterplan won over hurdles at the eighth attempt with a front-running success in the Gardiner & Theobald Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.

The 13-2 chance looked a sitting duck to the strong-travelling Singlefarmpayment turning for home, but the Charlie Longsdon-trained five-year-old found plenty for pressure to strike by two lengths under Aidan Coleman.

Longsdon said: "I was surprised that he got such a soft lead. This time last year you couldn't have ridden him from the front as he was far too keen.

"His hurdles form was very solid as he was only just beaten by Mont Choisy, who finished second behind Atlantic Gold at Cheltenham last week.

"I thought he had an each-way chance but you never know in these type of races how well handicapped some of the others are.

"Hopefully he still has a bit in hand."

Longsdon went on to complete a double on the card and a treble on the day courtesy of victories for Pendra and Kilcooley.

Coleman also went on to further success when the Venetia Williams-trained Cold March (12-1) accounted for Pearls Legend by seven lengths in the Byrne Group Handicap Chase.

Williams said: "He run some good races last season but he didn't really see them out. He was still only a young horse and I think he was just a bit weak.

"He has probably got a bit of stamina for a little bit further than this and that came into play. A couple of times last season he just got caught near the line.

"The plan was to take our time with him and as they went that strong a gallop it was really helpful."

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Altior survived late scare before going on to collect The Colts & Fillies Club Novices' Hurdle.

After winning as he liked on his hurdling debut at Chepstow, the Nicky Henderson-trained five-year-old was forced to pull out all of the stops to maintain his unbeaten record over timber.

With no-one keen to set the early pace, Descartes reluctantly took up the role before being passed by Britanio Bello, who stayed out in front until weakening out of contention just before the home straight, where the 4-5 favourite and eventually winner took control.

Recent Fakenham runner-up Ch'tibello was quick to follow him through and looked set to spring a surprise as Altior surrendered his narrow advantage when going through the top of the last.

Despite that mistake, Nico de Boinville's partner rallied well on the run-in before obliging by a length and a quarter.

Henderson said: "He jumped so well it was a shame that he did that at the last but he picked himself up well. They went no gallop and he was a bit keen and fresh. He will have learnt a bit from that.

"He is going the right way all the time and will be better with a stronger gallop. We will now step him up in class now but the plan was to get through today."

Henderson completed a double on the card when Cultivator (10-11 fav) recorded a smooth success in the Neptune Investment Management Standard Open NH Flat Race under Barry Geraghty who was also winning a second race after victory aboard Pendra.

Henderson said: "He reminds me a bit of My Tent Or Yours in the early days. The ability is there, but the head is not quite there yet.

"As he is eligible for the DBS Bumper that he finished third in at Newbury last year we might just put him away for that, then go to Aintree."

Padge wasted no time in getting off the mark over fences in the Ascot Underwriting Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.

The Evan Williams-trained six-year-old made a winning debut over larger obstacles after staying on best of all in the two-mile-three-furlong prize.

Although Padge veered left up the run-in, forcing Voix D'Eau to change the path of his run, the 6-1 shot had enough in hand to win by three-quarters of a length.

Williams said: "We just wanted to get his career novice chasing started and we thought this was the ideal place to start.

"He is a very nice horse in as much as he is very lucky to have the right owners. I would not describe him as a naughty boy but he is very backward in his ways.

"He will be better suited to bigger fences."