12:55 Ascot

Saturday 24 November 2018

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Winning Post Bookmakers Bristol Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 5m 58.93s

Classic Ben³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 132| BF

8/1

Useful dual hurdles winner last season was well beaten into fourth behind the smart Lil Rockerfeller first time up before improving slightly to finish second at Worcester. Jumping so far cautious and will have to brush up to defy co top-weight.

Form: 1726-42

Cresswell Legend^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 132| BF| D

7/2

Progressive hurdler who won three times last season has finished second in both chase starts to date, Narrowly touched off at Perth but more readily beaten next at Hereford. Seems to jump well for a novice and not ruled out here.

Form: 112P-22

King Of Realms²²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 132| C

4/1

Doncaster maiden hurdle winner in January finished in midfield next at Cheltenham when last seen in April. Dam was a winning chaser so bred for these larger obstacles but tough ask first time here.

Form: 30/2210-

Dinos Benefit¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 131| D

16/1

Once winning hurdler made a winning start to her chasing career at Fontwell two weeks ago where she got on top late on over 2m5½f. Bred to stay forever so this trip will surely suit even better and looks a leading contender here.

Form: 44133-1

Bob Mahler²¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 130| BF| D

10/1

Consistent sort was placed five times over hurdles before winning at Wetherby in March and he followed that up with another solid effort when second at Ayr. First chase and first race of the season here so others make more appeal.

Form: 532212-

Spider's Bite²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 127| D

7/1

Bumper and hurdles winner ran a respectable race on return over hurdles at Aintree where he finished fifth of 16. First time over fences here but yard generally better in chases and he is a half-brother to a winning chaser so merits respect.

Form: 3361P-5

Call To Order^b³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| BF| D

12/1

2m3f winner at Market Rasen in August has the benefit of six chase races experience. Third next at Warwick over 3m1½f before second of three latest (two finished when basically outsprinted on the run in at Plumpton (2m3½f). Should go well once more.

Form: 632132

Carlos Du Fruitier^b¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: B Pauling| OR: 126

14/1

Twice placed over fences including last time where he rallied for third in a 3m handicap at Exeter, only going down by 1½L. Handicap mark unchanged for that so has realistic claims here with stiffer track in his favour.

Form: 8-U20P3

Like The Sound²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: N D Fehily| T: C J Mann| OR: 125

16/1

2m6f hurdle winner made an encouraging start over fences when second of four at Sedgefield over 3m2½f earlier this month. Same handicap mark here so has realistic claims and jockey booking catches the eye.

Form: 12412/2

Merry Milan¹⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 125| D

12/1

Just the three races over hurdles but managed to win one of them, at Bangor. Now starts out over fences which should suit as a winning point-to-pointer so interesting to see how he fares.

Form: 75/161-2

Jaunty Flyer^t⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 124

9/1

Heavy ground hurdle winner could never get involved after a mistake at the first in recent chase debut at Chepstow although he managed fourth of nine. More needed here.

Form: 23143-4

Forecasts

Cresswell Legend (7/2), King Of Realms (4/1), Spider's Bite (7/1), Classic Ben (8/1), Jaunty Flyer (9/1), Bob Mahler (10/1), Call To Order (12/1), Merry Milan (12/1), Carlos Du Fruitier (14/1), Like The Sound (16/1), Dinos Benefit (16/1)

The two previous winners over fences make the most appeal here with preference for the less exposed DINOS BENEFIT who won her lone chase to date over 2m5½f all the while looking like she could be even better over 3m. Call To Order's experience of six chase starts will stand him in good stead and he seems versatile trip wise so returning to 3m should suit. Cresswell Legend who has been second in both chase races to date is another with possibilities for Kim Bailey.