YOU can understand why Boothill is favourite for the Jim Barry Hurst Park Handicap Chase at Ascot this afternoon.

Harry Fry’s horse was very good in winning the Byrne Group Handicap Chase over today’s course and distance three weeks ago. He warmed to his task as the race developed, and he stayed on strongly from the second-last fence, running out an impressive winner in the end.

Boothill is a talented horse. He wasn’t far below the top two-mile novice chasers last season, he won the Wayward Lad Chase at Kempton at Christmas, and he finished second to Jonbon in the Henry VIII Chase at Sandown in December.

Also, course form on Ascot’s chase track is more important than it is at most tracks. The fences are not easy, and we know about Ascot’s stiff finish. Boothill has it. Ascot course form. He is two for two over fences there, over today’s course and distance, and he ran well on his only run over hurdles there.

He should run a big race again today, but the disparity in odds between him and Saint Segal is probably greater than it should be.

Get closer

Saint Segal has six lengths to find with Boothill on their running three weeks ago, but there are reasons for believing that Jane Williams’ horse can get closer today. He was keen through the early part of the race for starters.

He led from the third fence at a fast pace, he had his rivals stretched out on the run around the home turn, and there was a lot to like about the manner in which he rallied after he was passed.

That was his seasonal debut, so there is every chance that he will progress for the run. Also, it was his first run at Ascot. He jumped well there, but he could be even better there now with that experience under his belt.

As a bonus, the handicapper dropped him by 1lb for that run, which was mildly surprising, while he raised Boothill by 5lb. Saint Segal is 6lb better off for a six-length beating, and he is available at around twice Boothill’s odds. Big fan of Boothill’s or not, there is no doubt where the value lies.

Haydock handicap

And the value may lie with Lord Snootie in the Betfair “Serial Winners” Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.

Christian Williams’ horse progressed well in staying handicap hurdles last season, his season culminating in a fine run at the Punchestown Festival to finish fifth behind Kilbeg King. He did well to get up for fifth place after making a momentum-stunting mistake at the final flight.

Given a nice break after that by his trainer, he came back to Ireland last month, to Galway, to run in the two-mile-six-furlong handicap hurdle that Buddy One won.

He only finished seventh there, but he was travelling well along the inside when a bad mistake at the second-last flight ended any chance he had of winning the race.

We don’t know how he would have fared that day, but Nick Scholfield hadn’t asked him for any effort at the point at which he made his mistake.

He might have got close to Buddy One, and Buddy One obviously enhanced that form when he ran out an impressive winner of the three-mile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last Saturday off a 9lb higher mark.

Lord Snootie should appreciate the step back up to an extended three miles today. Stamina is his forte, as he proved when he ran out a gutsy winner of a three-and-a-quarter-mile handicap hurdle at Warwick on soft ground on New Year’s Eve last season.

He is only six, he has the potential to go beyond the handicap mark of 123 off which he races today and, if they get racing early, which they often do at Haydock, that could make this race a real test of stamina, and that should suit Lord Snootie ideally.

Saint Segal, 3.15 Ascot, 11/2 (generally), 1 point win

Lord Snootie, 2.20 Haydock, 9/1 (generally), 1 point each-way