15:35 Ascot

Saturday 3 November 2018

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

Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 54.30s

Traffic Fluide^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 149

4/1

Grade One placed chaser won his last two starts last term including a quite amazing performance at Cheltenham where he looked beaten before rallying remarkably. Second to a likely well handicapped sort on return, chances.

Form: 75011-2

Art Mauresque²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148

14/1

Fell at the first in this race last year. Managed a couple of seconds in three subsequent starts including to prolific Top Notch at Sandown in final start. Faded into seventh on return at Chepstow so big step forward needed.

Form: P/F242-7

Go Conquer¹⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 147| CD

11/4

Won this last year when trained by Jonjo O'Neill but couldn't add to the success. Finished the season with a 15L eighth to TraffIc Fluide at Cheltenham. First start for this yard and only 5lb higher than easy win a year ago.

Form: 0/11F58-

Adrien Du Pont^t¹⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| C

13/2

Won at Fontwell last season and then placed in next four races before falling four out at Ayr in April. 2m5½f the furthest he has tackled but this yard's horses often stay further with time. Handicap leaves little room to manoeuvre.

Form: 13232F-

Geordie Des Champs¹²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: B J Geraghty| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 138

3/1

Won twice over fences but both in four runner contests on soft ground. Fair fifth in 3m2f Summer Cup at Uttoxeter when last seen but more needed here although remains quite lightly raced.

Form: 0/4113-5

Kings Lad^t²⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 138| C| D

7/1

Won last two starts of last season and built on a good second to start this season when winning a veterans' handicap latest. Up 7lb here against a few less exposed types but sure to make a bold bid.

Form: 56-1121

Solighoster¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 137| D

33/1

Won twice last winter although more recent of them a two runner affair. Followed that with a last at Uttoxeter and fall at Sandown. Starts out the campaign with time on his side but questions to answer.

Form: 13P15F-

Too Many Diamonds⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

18/1

Landed a hat-trick at Southwell over 2m4½f this summer. Two good second since at Market Rasen then back at Southwell. Handicapper may have caught up now and goes up in trip needing to improve again.

Form: 4-11122

Play The Ace^p,t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 134| D

18/1

Won five times last season and twice more this summer. Back to form latest when second at Market Rasen after two substandard efforts. This represents quite a step up in class and may find things difficult.

Form: 121762

Non-Runners

Ramses De Teillee¹⁹⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Go Conquer (11/4), Geordie Des Champs (3/1), Traffic Fluide (4/1), Adrien Du Pont (13/2), Kings Lad (7/1), Art Mauresque (14/1), Ramses De Teillee (14/1), Too Many Diamonds (18/1), Play The Ace (18/1), Solighoster (33/1)

TRAFFIC FLUIDE looked sure to appreciate 3m when rallying to success at Cheltenham at the end of last season and sure enough he made a good start over the distance behind a horse who had fallen to a very attractive mark last month so he gets the nod to go one better here. Go Conquer won this a year ago and although in different hands now he is respected again with only 5lb more to saddle. Kings Lad ended last and started this season in fine form and looks sure to go well once again.