Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 5m 9.85s

Aso⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 163| D

12/1

Nine-time winner returned from lengthy absence seemingly better than ever this season with back-to-back wins at Newbury and Cheltenham. Trip and ground suit but come up short in Grade Ones in the past and that likely again here.

Form: 434/5-11

Charbel^p³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 161

12/1

Gained overdue big race win in the Edredon Bleu chase at Huntingdon two starts back (Grade Two) but since struggled behind Top Notch. This his eighth crack at Grade One company, often runs well but yet to win one.

Form: F-31213

Cyrname^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 165| CD

3/1

Dual Grade Two winning novice last season but took form to new level latest when demolishing rivals in a competitive C&D handicap by 21L in a sensational round of jumping from the front. This much tougher but genuine chances if in same form.

Form: 214-371

Fox Norton²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 166

7/1

Dual Grade One winner in 2017 but lightly raced since due to injury. No match for unbeaten/unbeatable Altior latest here but did little wrong in first run for 389 days. If he still retains old ability he can go close.

Form: 11/12P-2

Politologue^t⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 168| CD

3/1

10-time winner including twice at Grade One level. Gave weight and a beating to Charbel first time out before 3m experiment in King George saw him fourth. This trip much more suitable however and sure to run a solid race.

Form: 1241-14

Waiting Patiently⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 170| CD

15/8

Won his first six over fences culminating in winning this 12 months ago on soft ground. Badly impeded by rival when unseating in the King George first time out this season but remains a top class chaser over this trip and the one to beat here.

Form: 11/111-U

Forecasts

Waiting Patiently (15/8), Cyrname (3/1), Politologue (3/1), Fox Norton (7/1), Charbel (12/1), Aso (12/1)

WAITING PATIENTLY can follow up last year's success here with everything seemingly in his favour at long last. Ruth Jefferson's star has required connections to live by his name this season but he can hopefully repay that patience now with this likely a stepping stone towards the Ryanair. Politologue arguably doesn't get the credit he deserves but Paul Nicholls' stalwart is a big danger with this trip far more suitable than at Kempton. Cyrname took his form to a new level latest and could be a threat to all if getting in a similar rhythm upfront.