13:20 Ascot

Friday 22 December 2017

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Stella Artois Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 16.18s

Deauville Dancer⁶

Age: 15| Weight: 11-11| J: Unknown| T: David Dennis

Form: 241119

Reigning Supreme²⁷³

Age: 15| Weight: 11-8| J: D J Mullins| T: N J Henderson

Form: F2/141-

Theo⁶

Age: 16| Weight: 11-8| J: Unknown| T: Dr R D P Newland

Form: 1111U4

Exitas¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Middleton| OR: 133| CD

9/2

Has enjoyed a very successful few months over fences leading to a sharp rise in the weights. Back over hurdles at Sandown latest (possibly outpaced), but was a respectable third off this mark at Cheltenham on his penultimate start.

Form: 1F1138

Divine Spear²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133

13/8

Ventured to Catterick for his chasing debut last month (2m3f good to soft), but it was a successful one, ridden out to beat Alzammaar by just under 4L. Has run well at this track previously over hurdles, so is a leading contender.

Form: 13225-1

Tree Of Liberty²³⁷

Age: 14| Weight: 11-4| J: Unknown| T: Kerry Lee

Form: 23221P-

Kayf Blanco¹⁸⁹

Age: 17| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

Form: 458-2F2

Capeland¹⁵

Age: 14| Weight: 11-1| J: Unknown| T: P F Nicholls

Form: 162-242

Ruby Rambler⁶²⁹

Age: 16| Weight: 11-1| J: Unknown| T: L Wadham

Form: 71314P/

Darebin¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 123

9/2

Fortuitous victor when left in the lead at the final fence at Ludlow (2m, good) in October, and has been found slightly wanting since. Possibly didn't fully see out the 2m4f trip latest, so a drop to 2m is helpful. Handles cut.

Form: 302123

Joueur Bresilien⁴³

Age: 14| Weight: 10-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis

Form: 3/343-62

Cousin Oscar³⁴

Age: 14| Weight: 10-10| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| D

Form: 11P-463

Prairie Town²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Lee Edwards| T: A W Carroll| OR: 122

10/1

Hasn't won since November 2015, and has looked in the grip of the handicapper over hurdles. Hasn't tackled fences since February 2017, and whilst adequate jumping wise, he didn't appear wholly proficient over the larger obstacles at Market Rasen.

Form: 2F33-03

Mr Fitzroy²¹⁰

Age: 16| Weight: 10-8| J: Unknown| T: Miss J S Davis

Form: 06/12P-0

Ramonex²⁸

Age: 15| Weight: 10-8| J: Unknown| T: R Hobson

Form: F51-253

Not Another Muddle²⁸⁶

Age: 15| Weight: 10-8| J: Unknown| T: G & J Moore

Form: 2/2125-

Minella Scamp³⁵⁵

Age: 17| Weight: 10-6| J: Unknown| T: F O'Brien

Form: 7/05272-

I See You Well²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: J W Mullins| OR: 122

5/2

Two time hurdles winner who has gathered experience over fences in the past few months without really threatening success. His last visit to this track in November came in a stronger race won by Benatar (fifth); but more needed overall.

Form: 24-1553

Forecasts

Divine Spear (13/8), I See You Well (5/2), Exitas (9/2), Darebin (9/2), Prairie Town (10/1)

Exitas has enjoyed a fruitful early few months of the season, but has climbed the weights as a result, so will surely appreciate the helpful 5lb claim of the excellent Mitchell Bastyan. Both Darebin and I See You Well have mustered plenty of experience over fences recently, but neither appear wholly bomb-proof, with the first named likely to appreciate a drop back to 2m, so the selection has to be the Catterick scorer DIVINE SPEAR. Whilst the bare form of that contest isn't anything out of the ordinary, those Catterick fences can take some jumping for a novice, and he beat a reasonable yardstick (Alzammaar) with relative ease. Hurdles proven on soft ground at this track (runner up to Air Horse One in February), he's fancied to maintain his unbeaten record over fences.