Ascot Spring Garden Show Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 4m 16.95s

Diego Du Charmil^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143

5/4

Made a winning debut over fences at Newton Abbot (2m½f, good to soft) in September. Disappointing odds-on favourite there subsequently but fine second behind Saint Calvados in last month's Kingmaker at Warwick much more like it.

Form: 010-132

Maestro Royal²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| D

5/1

Has cantered to success in both chase starts so far at Huntingdon (2m4f) and Lingfield (2m). This asks tougher question but no reason to suspect he won't have the answer.

Form: 17-4011

Beau Bay^h,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 130| BF| D

9/2

Consistent chaser, though maybe not scoring as often as expected. Comes here with two wins from previous three however, will relish testing ground, but might be vulnerable under 6lb hike.

Form: 223131

Ashoka^p,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 121

9/1

Victorious on good ground at Sedgefield in August and finished third at Fontwell (2m2f, good) subsequently. May have need run last month at Ludlow on return. Has to up game regardless.

Form: 6913P4

Vocaliser^p⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 121

7/1

Modest hurdler but has gone up a level over fences, with four wins in six outings and yet to finish out of the money. Good win eight days ago at Kempton, 5lb rise looks fair.

Form: 121131

Darebin^v¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 119

8/1

Useful chaser, form was beginning to wane before rallying success at Sandown 16 days ago. Gone up the minimum for that success, but this looks a good deal tougher.

Form: 123551

Non-Runners

Free Stone Hill⁸

Weight: 10-0| Age: 8

T: D Skelton J: David England

Forecasts

Diego Du Charmil (5/4), Beau Bay (9/2), Maestro Royal (5/1), Vocaliser (7/1), Darebin (8/1), Ashoka (9/1), Free Stone Hill (12/1)

Diego Du Charmil essentially got back on track last month when following home Saint Calvados in the Kingmaker, he is conceding weight all round now switched to handicaps though and won't want to see any rain. The consistent Beau Bay on the other hand will relish a soft surface and is in good tune while Vocaliser is also likely to have a say in matters. It is hard to know how strong the form of MAESTRO ROYAL's chase wins will prove, but he's done things very easily to now and merits respect going into handicaps. He can get the job done for the champion trainer.