Rory Delargy

ASCOT SATURDAY

12:40 FOUNDATION DEVELOPMENTS NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (2M7F118Y)

Red Infantry showed he stayed this trip when second to Beware The Bear at Southwell in the summer, and that form looks better now in light of the winner’s subsequent exploits. Beaten favourite at Cheltenham last time, he probably faces a slightly easier task on this occasion, and the return to three miles ought to suit.

Plenty of his opponents have stamina to prove at the trip, and that increases confidence in Ian Willams’ charge.

1:15 GL EVENTS OWEN BROWN GRADUATION CHASE (2M5F8Y)

The weights give Nicky Henderson’s Hammersly Lake every chance here, and it’s interesting to see Henderson taking the trouble to book David Mullins for the ride, but the impression is that most of these have found their level, unlike Top Notch, who faces his sternest task since tackling fences but appears open to loads of improvement based on his hurdles form, and has taken well enough to his new discipline to suggest he should make the grade.

He has gained useful experience against lesser opposition on his last two starts, and can take the step up in his stride.

1:50 BGC PARTNERS HANDICAP CHASE (2M2F175Y)

Marcilhac gets the nod in an intriguing contest. Venetia Williams does especially well with her chasers here, and more so when they are making their return to action in winter, which augurs well for the selection. For all last season was something of a write-off with just two poor runs to show for his toil. That does mean that he starts a new campaign favourably treated on his best hurdles form, and at the age of seven it will be disappointing if he can’t get back on track. He was narrowly beaten by Hennessy runner-up Carole’s Destrier on his final outing in 2013/14, and is now 3lb lower in the weights, which puts his task here in perspective.

The son of Smadoun will need to jump better that he did last term if he’s to take advantage of a potentially lenient mark, but he’s worth the risk on balance.

Andy Kelly was too free for his own good before coming down on his return from an absence at Kempton last month, but he should be less fizzy with that outing under his belt, and had made a big impression when first tried over fences last autumn.

He’s capable of making up for lost time, and is worth a saver.

2:25 JLT LONG WALK HURDLE (Grade 1) (3M97Y)

Unowhatimeanharry could not have impressed more when winning the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury’s Hennessy fixture, and he need only repeat that effort to follow up.

He holds Ballyoptic and Reve De Sivola on that form, and while the latter always raises his game for this contest, he may be found wanting as he was behind Thistlecrack a year ago.

Alex De Larredya won the Grand Prix D’Automne at Auteuil last time, with Ptit Zig third, and he’s arguably the biggest danger, but Harry Fry’s ace appears to have all angles covered.

3:00 LAVAZZA JOLIE SILVER CUP HANDICAP CHASE (2M7F180Y)

With Jonjo O’Neill now back in the groove, it’s easy to see why Go Conquer is favourite, but well though his latest second to Present Man here has worked out, he does need to prove he stays this sort of trip, and is short enough in the betting given that question. Jonjo’s other runner, Another Hero has no such worries being a course and distance winner.

He also won at Ludlow last spring, and looks fairly treated on that form. He was never competitive at Chepstow on his seasonal bow, but ought to do much better now that his stable has hit form, and he looks to offer some value at overnight prices.

Le Mercurey ran well in the face of a tough task when chasing home Many Clouds at Aintree two weeks ago,and he’s not easily dismissed despite a rather patchy overall profile.

He’s certainly more appealing than Irish Saint of the Paul Nicholls runners, while Fletcher’s Flyer has always appealed as the type to win a big staying handicap over fences, and is also shortlisted.

3:35 WESSEX YOUTH TRUST HANDICAP HURDLE (1M7F152Y)

A recommended bet in this column,Fergall shaped extremely well for a long way when fourth to Sternrubin in the Listed William Hill Handicap Hurdle over this track and trip in October, and the Seamus Mullins-trained gelding can spring a shock in first-time cheekpieces. Fergall travelled better than anything in that contest, but was outstayed after the last, albeit going down by just a length in all. He is clearly on a competitive mark and a minimal rise in the weights for that effort leaves him competitive. His high cruising speed will again enable him to travel well into the contest, and it’s to be hoped that the headgear can eke out the little extra needed to get him home in front.

RECOMMENDED

MARCILHAC 1.50 Ascot - 1pt win @ 20/1 (Hills)

ANDY KELLY 1.50 Ascot - 1pt win@ 12/1 (Skybet)

ANOTHER HERO 3.00 Ascot - 1pt e/w @ 14/1 (general) FERGALL 3.35 Ascot - 1pt e/w @ 25/1 (general)