14:10 Ascot

Saturday 16 February 2019

All12:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:00

Keltbray Swinley Chase (Limited Handicap) (Listed)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 6m 0.25s

Coneygree^t⁵²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: M Bradstock| OR: 159| D

11/2

Popular 2015 Gold Cup winner ran best race for some time first time out when third over 3m3½f at Cheltenham. King George too much latest but back at this level he is a genuine threat from the front.

Form: 23/PP-3U

Black Corton^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155| CD

10/3

Incredible novice campaign yielded eight wins. Quieter time of it this season but running on second latest over an inadequate 2m4½f encouraging and genuine claims now back up to ideal distance.

Form: 154-2P2

Regal Encore⁹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 152| CD

6/1

C&D winner last February and only 2lb higher than that mark today. Down the field in lone start this term back in November but no doubt he is at an attractive weight again. Market may give clues to readiness.

Form: 03P1P-6

Art Mauresque²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150

13/2

Hard to win with but excellent C&D second in November (2lb lower) would give him claims. Not quite at that level the last twice but remains at a mark where he can make his presence felt.

Form: 42-7285

Smooth Stepper⁷⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A M Hales| OR: 144

20/1

Four-time winner for Sue Smith who stays 4m and appreciates deep ground. Out of sorts on stable bow but that over hurdles and after lengthy absence. Would prefer further and more cut so others preferred.

Form: 21610-7

Calipto²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 143

9/2

Three-time chase winner seemingly handled first crack at 3m latest when a solid third at Doncaster despite jumping errors. Genuine claims here off same mark and a smoother round of jumping would help.

Form: 1-U5U13

Crievehill⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 143

12/1

Become quite consistent overall until slightly disappointing at Warwick latest where he made a couple of mid race errors. Can do better with a clear round but little to suggest he's well treated handicap wise.

Form: 212-266

Reikers Island⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 140| BF| D

4/1

Novice won a Wincanton handicap in his second start and looked set to follow up next at Newbury but made a bad blunder when in-front at the last and then tied up late on over 3m2f. Huge chance to make amends at the weights.

Form: F15-314

Forecasts

Black Corton (10/3), Reikers Island (4/1), Calipto (9/2), Coneygree (11/2), Regal Encore (6/1), Art Mauresque (13/2), Crievehill (12/1), Smooth Stepper (20/1)

REIKERS ISLAND may well have won but for a bad last fence error latest and even after that he led until ½f out over 3m2f. This trip will suit better and providing there is no repeats jumping wise he can land this. Black Corton ran a very eye-catching race and this prolific chaser rates the biggest threat now back to an ideal trip. Coneygree would bring the house down with a win and that is entirely possible.