13:35 Ascot

Saturday 2 November 2019

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

Ascot Underwriting Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 13:37 | Winning time: 4m 46.40s

Earlofthecotswolds¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140| BF

5/1

Faller (when still in with a chance) on latest start but progressive over hurdles before that; trip fine, might not want a lot more rain but if putting in a clear round of jumping, holds a solid chance all the same.

Form: 5121-2F

Pingshou¹¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 140| BF

12/1

Lovely-looking individual that hasn't quite got the hang of fences as yet, twice beaten at cramped odds this summer; needs to cut those errors out to hold best chance here, and may need this run to put him straight for the winter as well.

Form: 550-122

Diable De Sivola¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 135| BF

7/1

Just one win in 18 starts for Nick Williams and in truth became disappointing; starts out life for new yard on a fair enough mark but might need this after a break, and on balance is best watched.

Form: 53223-7

Jammy George²⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington| OR: 131WS

7/1

Improving novice hurdler when last seen, impressive when successful at Newcastle in March and interesting connections wasting little time getting him over a fence; has scope, and although a bit further would ideally suit, not discounted here.

Form: 94/2441-

Sully D'Oc Aa²³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 131

25/1

Winner of three of his hurdles starts in France back in 2017 but not seen out until March of this year for new yard when disappointing at Uttoxeter; clearly had issues and at present can only really be watched, although may do better at some point.

Form: 51211/P-

Darling Maltaix^h²³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| C

7/1

Ready winner over hurdles at a slightly longer trip here last season, looking a useful prospect and is built for fences; yard's horses have been needing a run though, and on that, might be best watched today unless the money comes for him.

Form: 23155F-

Cervaro Mix²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 130| BF| D

7/1

Has improved for seeing a fence this year, and although a beaten favourite at Fontwell last month, might have needed the run; jumps right, so track should suit, and not discounted.

Form: 1251-13

On The Slopes²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 128

11/2

Useful over hurdles but looks like making an even better chaser, good debut effort at Uttoxeter when only giving best from the last to higher-rated rivals; will strip fitter for that, won't mind any more rain, and looks a big player here.

Form: 12403-4

Doctor Dex²¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 126| D

9/2

Has plenty of ability but needs holding up for a late run as he doesn't always find a lot off the bridle; capable if mood takes him on chase debut today but that's not a given, and he wouldn't want any more rain either.

Form: 221176-

Neachells Bridge²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 126

16/1

Winning hurdler that will need to improve his fencing technique if his initial effort at Fontwell last month is anything to go by; others readily make a bit more appeal, for all that he could improve.

Form: 53/512-3

Forecasts

Doctor Dex (9/2), Earlofthecotswolds (5/1), On The Slopes (11/2), Darling Maltaix (7/1), Jammy George (7/1), Diable De Sivola (7/1), Cervaro Mix (7/1), Pingshou (12/1), Neachells Bridge (16/1), Sully D'Oc Aa (25/1)

You get the feeling that if Pingshou gets his act together then there ought to be a good handicap or two to be won with him this year, but blunders have held him back to date, and he is risky. Earlofthecotswolds looks the one to beat on form and he should be thereabouts, but at likely bigger prices both ON THE SLOPES and Cervaro Mix make appeal. On The Slopes jumped well in the main on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter until getting tired late on, and he should come on plenty for that. Similarly Cervaro Mix might have needed his Fontwell run to blow a few cobwebs away, and he could easily improve on it.