Review of action from Friday's meeting at Ascot

The news from the meeting at Ascot, where Nicky Henderson registered a double with Thomas Campbell and Different Gravey.

Nicky Henderson may need to look no further than Different Gravey to help fill part of the void left by Sprinter Sacre and Simonsig after a successful first venture over fences in the Prince's Countryside Fund Beginners Chase at Ascot.

For the second season in succession the six-year-old, who was last seen finishing fifth in a Grade One hurdle at Aintree in April, made a winning reappearance at the Berkshire track when capturing the two-mile-three-furlong prize.

Despite needing to be asked to raise an effort late on, the even-money market leader responded well before posting a six-length success to earn an opening show of 14-1 for the RSA by Paddy Power, who trimmed his JLT odds to 12-1 from 14-1.

Assistant trainer Toby Lawes said: "He was neat and professional, but David Bass said he has still got plenty to learn.

"He was ready to run over fences last year and has been schooling over fences for two years.

"He will certainly have a big future and I think we will probably step him back up in trip in time as we always suspected he would be a three-miler but he is not without speed.

"I'd like to think he could be one for the RSA as that is what we had pencilled in last year, but we eventually stuck to hurdles."

Thomas Campbell (4-5) provided Henderson with a second winner on the card when successfully shouldering a penalty for his win at Cheltenham last month, scoring by four lengths in the Olympus Introductory Hurdle.

Lawes said: "He is a lovely young horse. Barry Geraghty was really impressed with that. He came there and thought that was all he had got, but he gave him a couple of taps and he kept on finding."

Present Man (9-2) gained compensation for his early departure in the Badger Ales Chase at Wincanton earlier this month in the Winkworth Handicap Chase.

After the Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old parted company with Jack Sherwood at the second in the Listed contest at the Somerset track, the pair enjoyed better fortunes when staying intact for the duration of the two-mile-five prize to hold off the late rally of Go Conquer by a neck.

Harry Derham, assistant to Nicholls, said: "He just had a little look going down to the last, but to be fair to Jack Sherwood he gets a great tune out of him.

"He is a good jumper and I'm thrilled for the owners as their big race was the Badger Ales and it was a bit of a gutter for them the last day.

"That was always the target (Badger Ales) but this was a good back-up."

Peter Bowen could well have another useful staying prospect on his hands with Minella Daddy looking a consummate professional when casting aside more experienced rivals in the Creativevents Handicap Chase.

Despite only having two starts over fences to his name going into the three-mile event the 9-4 favourite did not look short on experience with the six-year-old powering clear after a bold jump at the last to claim a seven-length success.

Bowen said:"I thought he might be a bit inexperienced that is what I was a bit worried about, as he had only had two runs over fences.

"He has done it well and looks above average, but is better going right-handed. He would be all right in a good novice around here or Sandown."

John Flint believes Eddiemaurice (9-2) will be seen to even better effect when switched to fences, despite landing a third win from his last four starts over timber when surviving a stewards' inquiry in the Canaccord Genulty Handicap Hurdle.

Flint said: "We always said there was a big race in him. It has just taken a bit of time to come together.

"I can't wait to put him over fences. He has schooled over them already and is ready to go. He will be a lot better over fences."

Kimberlite Candy (12-1) showed an abundance of stamina to make a winning debut for Tom Lacey in the Geotech Soil Stabilisation "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle.