A+ FOR ASTA AND ASTON

FINDING the ideal trip for your horse was the key to success more than once at Cheltenham this week, and I'm hoping the rarely-used intermediate distance of two and a quarter miles proves perfect for ASTA LA PASTA (2.10) when he lines up at Kempton Park today.

- 

He has been a very consistent performer over fences to this point, and he was an easy winner of a novice handicap chase at Carlisle in November.

But despite running well in defeat on his three starts since, connections have found it difficult to find the key to success.

When he finished third at Newbury over an extended two miles, there was only one horse in the race who had a slower Top Speed than his — he palpably didn't have the toe for a tactical race at the minimum trip.