13:50 Ascot

Saturday 23 December 2017

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

My Pension Expert Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 54.66s

Casse Tete²⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 141

18/1

Much improved on latest start when thrashing a decent field at Sandown, the clock backing up the visual impression created. If that wasn't a one off, and he can repeat it on his seasonal bow, then he has to be a leading player.

Form: 21F431-

Pougne Bobbi²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 136

4/1

Out-jumped his rivals from the front when scoring at Ludlow in February (2m4f). Excuses for him since and this trip, ground and lower mark should see an improved effort.

Form: 2/5157-4

Poker School⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 135| CD

11/2

Took this 12 months ago off 18lb lower but has improved sufficiently since. Made an uncharacteristic error last time and has claims under his highly regarded young conditional rider.

Form: 42542U

Monbeg River²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter| OR: 134| D

9/1

Flattered by his margin of victory last time but no doubting it was an impressive display of galloping and jumping. That was his first victory in two years and a further 6lb rise adds to the doubts he can follow up.

Form: 25B3-21

Dream Bolt⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: D A Rees| OR: 132

11/1

Produced another career best last time when dismissing fears he does not handle soft ground. Possible contender off just 4lb higher.

Form: 5-11P41

Theo's Charm^b²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 132

4/1

Lacks the chasing experience of most of these but last term's second to Robinsfirth gives him an obvious chance. Form of his Plumpton third has substance and he has to be respected.

Form: 2730-33

Mr Medic⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 126| D

10/1

Young horse who impressed on his Exeter comeback and was not disgraced off a much higher mark at Newbury. Clearly going the right way and one of many with realistic claims.

Form: 11U-613

Volt Face^p1,t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 123| D

16/1

0-6 over fences and he failed to exploit his old mark on his penultimate start. Made crucial errors last time and cheekpieces are added here.

Form: 252-234

Un Beau Roman^h³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Henderson| OR: 123

14/1

Has dropped 5lb below his last winning mark and signs were more encouraging last time. Not easy to predict these days and he may want better ground.

Form: P6-P505

Red Devil Star^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 122| BF| C

11/1

Winner at this meeting a year ago on fourth chase start. Reliable jumper with a good attitude and on a fair mark despite a rise for his latest defeat.

Form: 254-732

Rock On Rocky^p,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 121

10/1

Runs to a consistent level but it is one that leaves him a few pounds short in this contest. Ground has come right for him and his turn may come when dropped in grade.

Form: 1P-4742

Non-Runners

Grey Gold⁶³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 12

T: Kerry Lee J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Pougne Bobbi (4/1), Theo's Charm (4/1), Poker School (11/2), Monbeg River (9/1), Mr Medic (10/1), Rock On Rocky (10/1), Dream Bolt (11/1), Red Devil Star (11/1), Un Beau Roman (14/1), Volt Face (16/1), Grey Gold (16/1), Casse Tete (18/1)

Mr Medic is an improving young chaser who may have enough about him to defy a further rise in the weights for a gutsy effort in defeat last time. Red Devil Star lost no marks for his display last time and this course winner and sound jumper merits respect. Both may have to concede their best to POUGNE BOBBI who is dropping in the weights at a time when the going has come right for him. Dream Bolt requires another career best but that is possible, whilst Theo's Charm has each-way possibilities judged on his two solid efforts over fences.