15:00 Ascot

Saturday 20 January 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

bet365 Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 47.6s

Acting Lass^t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 143| D

7/4

Promising novice hurdler last season, but stable wasted no time in sending him over fences and he has repaid that faith with victories in novice handicap chases at Market Rasen and Leicester. Has to overcome a higher mark in a much stronger race.

Form: 124-11

Robinshill^t⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 143

16/1

Talented hurdler who has got his act together over fences on his last two starts at Ludlow. Has gone up a total of 12lb for those two successes, but is progressive and has to be respected.

Form: 00-PU11

Minella Daddy^b³⁹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 139| C

6/1

Showed a liking for this track on a couple of occasions during his novice chase season. Belated start to this campaign off a feasible mark and is worth a check in the betting.

Form: 22112P-

Guitar Pete³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 139| D

4/1

Would probably have had to settle for minor honours had it not been for the fatal accident which befell a clear leader in a valuable handicap at Cheltenham last time, but the form as it stands gives him solid claims. Chance off 5lb higher.

Form: 222191

Kilcrea Vale³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| BF

5/1

Promising novice chaser last season, but has failed to kick on this term. Stamina seemed to be an issue over 3m at Doncaster last time and return to shorter trip off 2lb lower should suit.

Form: 158-236

Fortunate George^v²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 133| CD

9/2

Well held in valuable 3m race won by Gold Present at this track last time, but had previously won well off 10b lower over C&D. Return to shorter trip should help.

Form: 5-53517

Non-Runners

Tenor Nivernais²⁸⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 11

T: Miss V Williams J: Aidan Coleman

Shantou Flyer¹⁹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: R Hobson J: Mitchell Bastyan

Forest Des Aigles³⁶

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Acting Lass (7/4), Guitar Pete (4/1), Fortunate George (9/2), Kilcrea Vale (5/1), Minella Daddy (6/1), Shantou Flyer (6/1), Forest Des Aigles (10/1), Tenor Nivernais (10/1), Robinshill (16/1)

The progressive Forest Des Aigles would be of considerable interest if taking part, but his preference is for a race at Haydock and, in his anticipated absence, the choice is ROBINSHILL, who is similarly progressive and may have some juice left in his handicap mark. Acting Lass is greatly feared despite this being by far his stiffest task, while the other dangers are headed by Shantou Flyer and Guitar Pete.