Ascot Underwriting Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 37.30s

Amour de Nuit⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140

13/2

Four time novice hurdle winner including a Kempton Listed contest last October has won his first two chase starts although the first was a three runner race and the second he was the lone finisher. Jumped well latest so sure to go well.

Form: 533F-11

Caid Du Lin^p,t⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 139| D

8/1

Won on chasing debut at Worcester before getting turned over at long odds-on at Sedgefield and was pulled up at Cheltenham latest where his jumping rather fell apart. Risky on the back of that.

Form: 0P2-12P

Sternrubin^p¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137| C

9/2

Returned to chasing at Exeter last month when a facile winner of a two-runner chase at 1/5. Jumped quite severely right there which he did over fences previously but going the right way for that here and represents very in-form connections.

Form: 2203-01

Wenyerreadyfreddie²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130

13/8

Saw off all bar Grade Two winning hurdler Lil Rockerfeller at Uttoxeter last month in his second chase start (eight ran). That looked a step up on hurdles form so could be well handicapped now and jumps fluently enough.

Form: 21/4P-22

Larry^t²¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| D

8/1

Won last two novice hurdles last season at Plumpton (heavy) and Fontwell (soft). Very much bred for fences (same sire as Gold Cup winner Sizing John) and yard won this last year so of interest on chasing debut.

Form: U42311-

Inaminna¹⁶¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 122| D

9/1

Comfortable winner of a soft ground Chepstow handicap hurdle last April, his lone win over timber. Won a point-to-point previously so jumping should hold up here but his form overall gives him a bit to find.

Form: F3431-4

Peppay Le Pugh^t¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122

10/1

Three wins, one second and a fall at the last when looking the winner since joining this yard. Idled a bit in front when winning again at Worcester latest and despite taking a step up in class his experience means he can't be counted out.

Form: 2-11F21

Forecasts

Wenyerreadyfreddie (13/8), Sternrubin (9/2), Amour de Nuit (13/2), Caid Du Lin (8/1), Larry (8/1), Inaminna (9/1), Peppay Le Pugh (10/1)

WENYERREADYFREDDIE made a most pleasing start to this campaign when well clear of all bar eventual winner Lil Rockerfeller who was a very high class hurdler. To run a 23lb superior hurdler to 1½L speaks volumes about the performance and the winner has won again since so there was no fluke about it. Sternrubin is a danger after hacking up despite jumping right in a two-runner chase at Exeter and Amour de Nuit who has landed two small field chases is also worth consideration.