Ascot Saturday

1.30 Ascot Underwriting

Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 2m 2f 181y

It’s not easy to be confident of the official ratings for a few of these, notably No Questions Asked, who makes his chase debut having been tailed off on his only handicap over hurdles at Cheltenham in March, while French recruit Lylian could be thrown in if the most positive view of his Dieppe form is taken as a guide.

But the one with the most solid efforts in this sphere is Viroflay, who showed useful form in hunter chases last season, failing to stay three miles at Punchestown, but making a bold show in the lead until a blunder four out, and collared late by Its On The Line.

Viroflay had used similar tactics when winning well at Kempton on his previous start and he largely jumped well on both occasions.

He gives the impression he will do best when forcing the pace and the drop back to this trip should suit him really well. Olive Nicholls knows him well having been responsible for his training and riding last season and she gets a good tune out of the eight-year-old, who is taken to make his experience count.

2.05 Grundon Waste Management Handicap Chase 2m 172y

Martator beat Issar D’Airy in this race 12 months ago and Boothill was successful in 2023, so all three merit consideration again, having shown an ability to go well here and fresh. Venetia Williams usually has her string in hibernation until the chasers burst back to life to correspond with this fixture, but there are normally a few feelers sent out beforehand, and a lack of recent runners is a concern for the chances of Martator.

Issar D’Airy didn’t win last season and remains 11lb above his last winning mark and 3lb higher than for last year’s return. Boothill is only 2lb higher than when winning this two years ago, but he has developed jumping issues since and has fallen on three of his six subsequent starts.

L’Eau Du Sud was a precocious novice last season and won his first four before being found out in Grade 1 company in the spring. He’s an obvious favourite, but he’s not guaranteed to progress any further, and I suspect he’s high enough in the weights, for all that accusation could be levelled at most of the field.

Sans Bruit is tempting as the sole pace angle in the race but he’s only peaked in the spring and is again likely to be aimed at Aintree in April, where he’s won the last two runnings of the Red Rum Chase, where he has Petit Tonnerre and General Medrano well behind last season.

That pair are both capable of turning the tables here, but preference is for Special Cadeau for the bang in-form Henry de Bromhead. The selection wasn’t the most reliable over hurdles but his chase form is better and he did well to split Westport Cove and King Of Kingsfield in a Grade 3 novice at Roscommon last time. He’s best at around two miles and jumps well, so ought to have no excuses with fitness very much on his side.

3.10 Lavazza Handicap Hurdle 1m 7f 157y

This handicap looks very open assuming Friday’s rain takes the sting out of the ground, and Ooh Betty is a hopeful choice on her return for Ben Clarke. She won on her return at Sandown last November and put up a career-best effort when beaten a neck into third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr in April. She tends to follow her best efforts when lesser runs so a defeat when turned out quickly in the Swinton at Haydock is easy to forgive. She ran a blinder when third in the Grade 2 Warfield Hurdle behind Take No Chances and Kargese on her previous visit here and her claims are enhanced by the booking of excellent 5lb claimer Toby McCain-Mitchell.

3.45 Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase 2m 7f 185y

With Joe Tizzard’s horses shaping as if needing a run after a break this autumn, The Changing Man may prove vulnerable, but he’s clearly interesting if his fitness could be guaranteed having won the Reynoldstown over course and distance last term. The market, and more importantly, the paddock will be useful in assessing his chance.

My feeling is that the chase course will be less affected by rain than the hurdles track, and if that’s the case then Bhaloo will be a major contender. A horse who must have good or faster ground, he impressed when winning a handicap chase at Newbury last spring on the back of a disappointing effort on soft ground in the Pendil at Kempton.

The Henderson/de Boinville combo are 8-22 over fences here and as long as the ground stays on the quick side, I’d fancy the seven-year-old to run a big race. If it does turn soft, as could happen, I’d certainly wouldn’t be keen to get involved, given how ground-dependent he appears.

Wetherby Saturday

1.15 Position Payout At Bet365 Handicap Chase 2m 3f 85y

Pep Talking has been a model of consistency for Billy Aprahamian, his record since his stable debut away from soft or heavy ground reading 1131122 and he remains capable of better having shaped really well on his reappearance at Huntingdon earlier this month.

He ultimately went as if that run were needed, but looked on good terms with himself until tiring from the final fence behind the race-fit Zestful Hope and he should derive enough benefit from the run to return to winning ways here.

1.50 Bet365 Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) 2m

Golden Ace is favoured by the penalty structure of this listed hurdle, getting a 6lb penalty for winning the Champion Hurdle while her main rival is lumbered with 4lb for winning an uncompetitive listed contest at Kempton almost a year ago. Her fitness is taken on trust, but even if not 100% on the day, she should have too much finishing speed for Kateira and Dysart Enos.

2.22 Bet365 Hurdle (Grade 2) (West Yorkshire Hurdle) 3m 26y

Potter’s Charm isn’t taken lightly after a novice campaign which saw him successful at Grade 1 level, but Strong Leader is probably the best staying hurdler around granted a flat track and a sound surface and he will be very hard to beat given his stable’s fine form and his own excellent record fresh. A repeat of his second in the Liverpool Hurdle in the spring, let alone his win in the same race in 2024, should be more than good enough to take the honours.

2.57 Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) 3m 45y

The Real Whacker has more to do than when winning this 12 months ago with 6lb less on his back, but he’s best when allowed to stride on when the ground isn’t testing, and his jumping is an asset in such circumstances. He needs to be at least as good as ever to win, but his proven stamina gives him preference over Protektorat and Pic D’Orhy, who have shown their best form over shorter trips, a comment which also applies to Ga Law.

Djelo’s chance hinges on how well forward Venetia Williams has her chasers, so an eye should be kept on Martator at Ascot earlier, and Hewick might well be the biggest danger having won gamely over hurdles at Thurles a fortnight ago.

Recommended

Viroflay 1.30 Ascot – 2pts win @ 3/1 (Hills, 5/2 general)

Special Cadeau 2.05 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 9/1 (BetVictor – 4 places; 8/1 general)

Ooh Betty 3.10 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 8/1 (general – 4 places)

Pep Talking 1.15 Wetherby – 1pt win @ 17/2 (Hills, 8/1 general)

The Real Whacker 2.57 Wetherby – 1pt win @ 13/2 (Bet365, Coral)