Ascot Saturday

1.50 IJFAP Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 7f 185y

Thomas Mor is a late defector and his absence changes the shape of the race to some degree. Crest Of Fortune was a long way behind Thomas Mor at Kempton, but Anthony Honeyball’s chaser was taken off his feet there and probably needs soft ground to slow down his rivals. He ran really well when second to Zurich at Cheltenham in October and that race has thrown up a flurry of subsequent winners.

Crest Of Fortune was again a bit better than the bare result when fourth to Wendigo, No Questions Asked and Regents Stroll in the two-and-a-half-mile John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury, getting done for a turn of foot but galloping to the line behind a trio who have all enhanced that form with subsequent wins.

Crest Of Fortune needs to be forgiven his run in the Kauto Star Chase but he was looked after when his chance had gone and is likely to be seen in a better light back on softer ground here. His runs prior to that had come over two and a half miles and he looked like a return to three miles would suit, for all that it didn’t work at Kempton.

2.25 Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f 63y

Lightningupourdays is unexposed in handicaps and improved for a step up to this trip when third at Hereford last time when beaten only by a pair who have scored again subsequently. Alistair Ralph’s seven-year-old looked to appreciate the stiffer test at Hereford and can do better still kept to this sort of trip.

Well behind him that day was Moveitlikeminnie, who has been third in handicaps here either side of that run, leading me to believe that the Hereford race might be slightly underrated.

Dangers abound, with a mention needed for Act Of Authority, who is just 3lb higher than when second to Wodhooh in the Martin Pipe last season and very much caught the eye when fourth at Windsor over two and a half miles last time, meeting some trouble in the straight when making his effort. He’s clearly coming back to form and a well-run race at that trip suits him at least as well as three miles.

3.00 Betfair Swinley Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 7f 185y

This is very competitive but Jipcot arrives here on the back of an excellent effort and has hopefully turned a corner for a stable in fine form. Jipcot jumped very well when winning by 10 lengths at Leicester on his latest outing and the handicapper could have been harsher than putting him up 8lb for that. He won’t get an easy lead this time but is tactically versatile and is capable of coming from off the pace as well as setting it.

3.35 Betfair Ascot Chase

(Grade 1) 2m 5f 13y

Jonbon isn’t always a horse to please the purists but his record speaks for itself and he again looked like two miles is a minimum for him these days when beating Thistle Ask in the Clarence House Chase here last month. He showed great resilience to win having conceded first run there, and will find it easier galloping a stride slower over this longer trip.

He’s unbeaten in two runs over two and a half miles under rules, those coming in the Melling Chase at Aintree, and the extra yardage shouldn’t be an issue. Pic d’Orhy needs to bounce back from a rare poor run here last time and he’s sure to be tuned up for what could be conceived as his main target for the season. He’s a year older than Jonbon, however, and his modest effort last time could be a sign that age is catching him up.

Haydock Saturday

2.05 Zyn Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m 58y

I’m far from convinced that favourite Kabral Du Mathan is a stayer and while he could get away with it here, I’d prefer to side with a proven stayer, and am happy to forgive Beauport a poor effort in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December. He ran well in the corresponding event 12 months earlier but was never really travelling with the same gusto last time. Since then, he’s had wind surgery, and looks to have a good set up to utilise his front-running style on ground he relishes.

The more of a test this becomes, the better for Beauport, who won the Midlands National in 2024, and the tacky ground will ensure that stamina is at a premium. Beauport needs to prove that he’s back to his best, but he gets 6lb from the favourite and looks well treated by the conditions of this race.

2.40 Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m 58y

Legendary Luke has a bit to find on form, but he appears to be all about stamina, as befits one out of a half-sister to Native River, and he can progress enough to score on his first try at three miles. He’s having only his fourth race here, shaping well in a bumper and winning both hurdles starts at around two and a half.

I very much like how he rallied when challenged at Fontwell last time, finding extra for pressure when looking like he might be swamped on the home turn to beat Manigod. He clearly responds well to pressure and it’s hard to think that an extra half mile won’t draw out further progress from the son of Soldier Of Fortune.

3.15 William Hill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase 3m 4f 97y

Myretown is the selection based on how well handicapped he appears to be, but his increasing habit of making one dreadful error per race means I wouldn’t rush to chase the price down much further. He can jump superbly as he did when winning at Cheltenham 11 months ago, but his mistakes come out of the blue and without any logical reason, so I’m only fairly hopeful that going an extra few furlongs at a slower gallop will help in that regard. When he puts it all together, he’s going to make a mockery of his mark, and I hope that this is the right opportunity to side with him.

Recommended

Crest Of Fortune 1.50 Ascot - 2pts win @ 9/2 (SkyBet, Paddy Power)

Lightningupourdays 2.25 Ascot -

1pt e/w @ 11/2 (Bet365, Paddy Power - 4 pl)

Beauport 2.05 Haydock -

1pt win @ 14/1 (general)

Legendary Luke 2.40 Haydock - 1pt e/w @ 6/1 (general)