15:15 Ascot

Friday 23 November 2018

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Davidstow Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 58.20s

Minella Daddy^p²⁰⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 136| CD

11/4

C&D win and second in late 2016 followed by pulled up and then off 390 days. Somewhat up and down last season but C&D second and second at Kempton most recently both give him realistic claims if ready first time out.

Form: P/420P-2

Battle Of Shiloh³³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: N D Fehily| T: T R George| OR: 135| BF| D

7/1

Won first two chases but not added to them in four subsequent starts and was pulled up when last seen 11 months ago where he reportedly broke a blood vessel. Potential off this mark but enough question marks at present.

Form: 11F0/3P-

Above Board²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132| D

4/1

In good rom over the summer following a Uttoxeter win with two more placed efforts but found a hotter contest beyond him next at Cheltenham (seventh of 16). Handicapper has a tight enough grip it seems.

Form: 1P-1327

Tintern Theatre³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132| D

7/1

Form seemed to tail off after winning at Kempton last December as he failed to place in four subsequent starts. Similarly uninspiring return at Carlisle where beaten 41L and parted with rider three times in ten chase starts so jumping also a doubt.

Form: 1U007-8

Cabaret Queen^t⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

13/2

Won first two chases in the summer at Uttoxeter and Worcester before a bad blunder five out at Fontwell last month which saw her pulled up shortly after. Still has potential off this sort of mark however and that error aside she jumps well enough.

Form: 23-411P

Markov²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: B Pauling| OR: 129

25/1

Started last season with two wins but form tailed off subsequently. Never involved on return this season at Stratford where he was last of eight so questions aplenty as he now goes up in trip.

Form: 11FP7-8

Favorito Buck's^p¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129

12/1

Won twice earlier in the year before fourths at Kempton (Minella Daddy second) and Exeter on recent return where he seemed to tire. More needed but still relatively unexposed so not totally ruled out.

Form: P181-44

Le Boizelo²⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 127

14/1

All three career wins come on heavy ground. Running a good race when last seen at Newbury (soft) until he unseated three out when disputing for the lead. Handicap mark not impossible but ground would have to be a concern.

Form: U/3214U-

Vice Et Vertu^b¹⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: H D Daly| OR: 127| D

8/1

Has a good strike rate (25 per cent) and was a comprehensive winner when last seen back in May at Ffos Las. 6lb rise gives him a career high chase mark but goes on all ground and looks a leading contender if ready after summer break.

Form: 1P13P-1

Forecasts

Minella Daddy (11/4), Above Board (4/1), Cabaret Queen (13/2), Battle Of Shiloh (7/1), Tintern Theatre (7/1), Vice Et Vertu (8/1), Favorito Buck's (12/1), Le Boizelo (14/1), Markov (25/1)

MINELLA DADDY clearly enjoys it here and he ran one of his best races over C&D last season when second. The problems that saw him miss over a year are now hopefully well behind him and he could enjoy a fruitful campaign if that is the case with this mark well within his grasp. Vice Et Vertu may prove the biggest danger having won impressively when last seen. Cabaret Queen's progress halted when she made a bad error last time out but it is too soon to write her off.