ASCOT SATURDAY

1.15 ASCOT RACECOURSE NOVICES’ HURDLE (2M)

Our Kaempfer went into my notebook as one who would do better over hurdles than in bumpers, a view based on his impressive physique. It was pleasing to see him finish an excellent third in a listed race at Cheltenham a year ago, and while he didn’t do himself justice at the Festival, was again eyecatching at Aintree on his final start. He’s the type to flourish when gaining the strength to carry his frame, and ought to take plenty of beating, even allowing for the presence of a couple of promising rivals. The only concern is that he will find this bare 2m a minimum, and looks the type to stay a fair bit further in time.

1.45 ASCOT UNDERWRITING NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE (2M3F)

Monkey Kingdom merits maximum respect despite top-weight, and he looked a fair bit better than the bare result when chasing home Southfield Theatre at Chepstow last month. He deserves to dominate the market, but at bigger odds, I’d be inclined to back Garrahalish, who has a bit to find on the figures, but was enormously impressive on his chase debut at Towcester when jumping impeccably to beat Knight Of Pleasure. That win came in a small field and with an easy lead, so the merit of the performance is hard to establish with accuracy, but the obvious relish he showed for the task in hand was a joy to behold, and he deserves the benefit of any doubt. The handicapper has left him on his hurdles mark for this handicap, and that should see him very competitive.

2.20 BYRNE GROUP HANDICAP CHASE (2m 1f)

There was an air of unfinished business about the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March, with both Next Sensation and Claret Cloak deemed in certain quarters to have been unlucky losers under contrasting circumstances. The well-handicapped Next Sensation soon raced in a clear lead and only gave best from the last under what many believed was an ill-judged ride, while Claret Cloak crept into the race from the rear, looking sure to win only to blunder badly at the second last. That pair will attract plenty of market support as a result, but ready preference on the day is for Bellenos, who represents a trainer destined for the very top, and has shown himself ideally suited by this course and distance in the past. A winner of a novice event here in December, he just failed to reel in Manyriverstocross in a competitive affair in March (meets that rival on identical terms here), and ended the season with another win at Stratford. He shouldn’t lack for fitness given his yard’s excellent first-time-out record this term, and can improve past his more exposed rivals.

3.35 UNITED HOUSE GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE (3M)

Another of the Ten To Follow horses (see A6-7) here in the shape of Le Bec, and this is a horse I’m especially sweet on as an improving staying chaser in a year when there is certainly room at the top of the division for a new star. This contest appears to be the ideal prep race for the Hennessy at Newbury later in the month, and he runs the risk of blowing a lenient handicap mark by winning here. That said, we’re not looking at a five grand contest at a gaff track, and the £100,000 prize money is not to be sniffed at. If Le Bec is going to develop into a Gold Cup contender (and with the bar set lower than normal, that’s a real possibility), then he should be capable of beating today’s rivals from his current mark. Victory here may compromise his chances in the Hennessy, but as any wise man will tell you, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Leighton Aspell stays here instead of going to Newbury, and while that would normally be a blow, the veteran rider has another ace up his sleeve in the shape of Many Clouds, who is also bound for the Newbury feature.

CARLISLE SUNDAY

1.30 DOWNLOAD FREE APP @ bookmakers.co.uk NOVICES’ LIMITED HANDICAP CHASE (2½M)

The 2013/14 season was one of continual improvement over hurdles for Warden Hill, and given he’s bred to be a better chaser, he can be expected to make a bold bid now tackling fences for the first time. Mick Channon benefits greatly from the schooling expertise of Henrietta Knight, and those who gain their tuition from Best Mate’s trainer rarely lack for know-how. That point was amply demonstrated when the same connections’ Knock House made a stunning debut over birch at Fakenham recently, and I’d expect Warden Hill to be equally adept in the jumping department. He’s the class act in this field, and the stiff finish at Carlisle should bring his stamina to the fore.

3.45 COLIN PARKER MEMORIAL INTERMEDIATE CHASE (2½M)

Holywell is the one everyone will want to be with in this graduation chase, but he doesn’t get much love in my household, and while I admit that Jonjo O’Neill did a tremendous job with his last season, I’d be disappointed if he turned into a genuine Gold Cup candidate. He’s now 8lb worse off with Green Flag from when that pair were first and fourth in the Baylis & Harding at Cheltenham in March, and I don’t believe in retrospect that Lucinda Russell’s charge stayed the trip as well as he appeared to at first glance there. It’s Many Clouds who gets the vote to give his rider a headline-grabbing double. Oliver Sherwood’s charge was the moral winner of the Reynoldstown at Ascot last term, but paid for attempting to match strides with the tearaway Gevrey Chambertin. He was ridden in contrasting style in the RSA, and was unlucky to be brought down. I don’t believe he was 100% when behind Holywell at Aintree, and he is another with superior speed than the favourite.

RECOMMENDED:

GARAHALLISH 1.45 Ascot 1 pt win

BELLENOS 2.20 Ascot 2.20 1pt win

LE BEC 2pts win 3.35 Ascot 2pts win

SUNDAY:

WARDEN HILL 1.30 Carlisle 1pt win

MANY CLOUDS 3.45 CARLISLE 2pts win