Stewart sees bright side of Ascot doubt

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Dual World Hurdle winner Big Buck's, whom Stewart owns, is set to take on nine rivals in a bid to land the 3m 1f event for the second year running.

The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old is undefeated in nine starts over the smaller obstacles but all his form has come running on left-handed tracks.

With temperatures set to plummet again towards the end of the week, the meeting is already in doubt and Stewart would not be unhappy if the fixture was called off.

He said: "If it doesn't go ahead, then I will hope the meeting is transferred to Newbury on the 29th.

"Ascot lost the meeting last year and while it would be a shame for them if it happened again, Big Buck's has never been right handed."

Big Buck's beat Duc De Regniere on his reappearance in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month and Nicky Henderson's campaigner could reoppose. The trainer has another possible runner in Carole's Legacy.

Meanwhile, Stewart is fronting one of around 20 bids for the Tote, which provides between £11million and £20m a year to horseracing.

The City businessman said: "We submitted the bid on Friday and the government will come back to us in the second week in January."