1:15 Ascot
The 1:15 from Ascot gets us underway and it is a handicap hurdle over just shy of 3 miles.
A tricky race but I think THANK YOU MA’AM (8/1) EW looks solid here. He’s run well all four starts this season finishing 2nd on his first three starts including here at Ascot. He deservedly got his head in front back here last time out going from the front and showing a willing attitude to win going away. He’ll relish this stamina test and front runners can be well suited to Ascot. Hopefully he gets a nice time out in front again and proves a tough nut to crack.
1:35 Wincanton
We head to Wincanton for one race, the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle over 1m7f.
It’s GOLDEN ACE (5/2) for me who returns to what I’d expect to be her ideal trip. The Mares Novice Hurdle winner from last year’s Cheltenham Festival, we know that form looks strong now with Brighterdaysahead a multiple Grade 1 winner who could well be a Champion Hurdler next month. Golden Ace has returned this season running twice over intermediate trips which just isn’t her bag. She’s all pace. This trip around a sharp track like Wincanton is what she wants Burdett Road can give her a lovely toe into this and I think she can resume winning ways for trainer Jeremy Scott.
1:50 Ascot
It’s back to Ascot from the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase, a novice chase over 3 miles.
It’s JINGKO BLUE (11/8) I like in here. He has looked a highly promising chaser in his two starts this season. The first of those was up at Uttoxeter where he won a novice handicap chase in taken fashion before following up at Grade 2 level last time out at Windsor. This trip suits him well and he’s still unexposed. I’d fancy him to confirm the form with Lowry’s Bar from Windsor as I think he has more scope to continue improving and the Seven Barrows yard continue in fine form.
2:05 Haydock
The 2:05 from Haydock is a Veterans Handicap Chase over the intermediate 2m4f trip.
It’s WHISTLEINTHEDARK (5/1) who ran well behind the well-handicapped Le Milos last week and if he can kick on again with cheekpieces re-fitted, he looks sure to go close. He’s only 10 and he gets weight off all his rivals today. I think he can go close.
2:25 Ascot
Next up is a competitive handicap hurdle over an extended 2m3f.
I think today is the day for JOYEUX MACHIN (9/2). He had good back form for Paul Nolan when trained in Ireland and he’s slowly been building up to form since joining the Dan Skelton yard. He’s certainly caught the eye on his last two starts and shaping well significant promise on both occasions. Harry Skelton now takes over which suggests today may well be the day.
2:40 Haydock
The 3m Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle comes up at 2:40.
The one for me here is BEAUPORT (2/1) NAP. A really good dual performer over both hurdles and fences, he excels when he gets a real stamina test. A winner on reappearance by 27 lengths, he was then pitched into the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. He looked the likely winner for much of that contest and it was a fine run to finish third. This is significant weaker and he again has conditions to suit. He should get his own way in front again and I’d be surprised if he is passed.
3:00 Ascot
The 3:00 is a 3m chase known as the Swinley Handicap Chase.
I like ANNSAM (15/2) in this. He’s well suited by these handicap chases around Ascot and this previous course and distance winner looks set for a bold display again today. A mark of 140 is well within his reach if on a going day and he shown enough last time out here at Ascot to give him a go today. He well sit handy and his jumping can be an asset.
3:15 Haydock
The 3:15 from Haydock is the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase over an extended 3m4f.
Despite a decent rise in the weights from last season’s comfortable success in this race, I think YEAH MAN (11/2) NB can win this again. He’s only 8 year-old so arguably he’s reaching his peak now. He relishes extreme stamina tests and this 3m4f on rain-softened ground at Haydock is exactly that. He has run respectable in two competitive handicaps this season and this looks slightly less competitive to my eye. The Gavin Cromwell team cannot do a lot wrong at present and he can have an ITV winner here.
3:37 Ascot
The final race on ITV is the feature, the Grade 1 Ascot Chase over 2m5f.
It’s PIC D’ORHY (15/8) for me who looks best suited for this test. 2m5f around Ascot looks to be his optimum conditions. He has a nice blend of pace and stamina which is well suited by this test. His main rivals L’Homme Presse and Corbetts Cross would appreciate further and they may just struggle to get near a Pic D’Orhy who will likely kick on from the flag. Similar tactics were used to win this race last year and I’d expect more of the same. This is his main aim of the season and connections will have him raring to go. I don’t think this is the main aim for his key market rivals either.
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