15:15 Ascot

Friday 22 November 2019

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

inthepaddock.co.uk Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 6m 14.80s

Minella Rocco^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 142| D

25/1

Cheltenham Festival winner in his pomp and runner-up in a Cheltenham Gold Cup but pulled up on each of his last four starts and hard to recommend on that evidence, particularly over a trip he may find on the sharp side.

Form: 59PPP-P

Dragon D'Estruval¹⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141

8/1

Won in impressive style on debut for this yard at Ffos Las 18 months ago and returned to form when back over fences at Perth last time out. That was a first start since wind surgery and every chance he can build on that here.

Form: 8/1730-3

King Of Realms^v²³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 140| CD

11/2

C&D winner who got his head back in front at Warwick when last seen, despite making jumping errors. Only up 3lb for that and respected on his seasonal reappearance if ready for action.

Form: 10/1421-

Top Wood^t,v²³²

Age: 12| Weight: 11-11| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Kelly Morgan| OR: 139| D

20/1

Only denied by a neck in the Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham in 2018 and ran two huge races last season when third in that race again before landing a competitive renewal of Aintree's version. Ought to be thereabouts on return here.

Form: 112P/31-

Militarian²⁰⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: J Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: Andrew Martin| OR: 138

50/1

Won three times last season and shaped like a return to form was imminent at Sandown when last seen. On a workable mark and interesting back up in trip here.

Form: 41P634-

Good Man Pat²⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 137| D

7/1

Won a three-runner novice handicap chase at Plumpton but struggled subsequently and in behind Militarian at Sandown when last seen; any rain would be in his favour but others make more appeal.

Form: P/313P5-

Coningsby^b²⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 136| D

12/1

13L winner at Exeter when last seen in March having run well in defeat at Carlisle in the previous month. 9lb higher mark but entirely unexposed and could go well if ready on his return to action here.

Form: 24/RP31-

Cloth Cap⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 136

8/1

Made an encouraging start to his chasing career, winning two of his first three starts prior to an excellent third of 23 in the Scottish National. Probably needed the run at Chepstow on his return and remains on a workable handicap mark.

Form: F/3113-4

Reikers Island³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135| BF| D

7/2

One win from six chase starts to date but it was an encouraging return to action when fourth of 10 at Exeter last time out. Down 2lb and likely to come on for that run; every chance he's on a nice mark.

Form: 3146P-4

Diplomate Sivola²⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| BF| D

16/1

Two-time winner over fences. Pulled up when last seen at Exeter but probably worth forgiving that effort given his consistent profile. Acts on most ground and has a progressive enough profile to be of interest here.

Form: 32121P-

What A Moment³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 133

33/1

Both wins over fences have come at Cheltenham. Returned from a lengthy absence at Exeter last time out when ninth of 10 but entitled to need that first run in 704 days. Best form has come on ground quicker than what's likely here though.

Form: 55PP1/9

Orchardstown Cross¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 132| D

5/1

Arrives bidding for a four-timer having won over 3m on soft ground at Exeter on his seasonal reappearance. Won't get away with jumping errors at this venue though and he has a 9lb rise in the weights to cope with.

Form: 32/211-1

Compadre¹⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: L Treadwell| T: H J Evans| OR: 116

25/1

Won twice over fences at the start of the year, the latest a wide margin success at Market Rasen in March. Not at his best back at that venue in May and his record fresh suggests it's probably wise to look elsewhere.

Form: 60121-3

Non-Runners

Impulsive Star²²³

Weight: 11-11| Age: 9

T: N P Mulholland J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

Forecasts

Reikers Island (7/2), Orchardstown Cross (5/1), King Of Realms (11/2), Good Man Pat (7/1), Cloth Cap (8/1), Dragon D'Estruval (8/1), Coningsby (12/1), Diplomate Sivola (16/1), Impulsive Star (16/1), Top Wood (20/1), Compadre (25/1), Minella Rocco (25/1), What A Moment (33/1), Militarian (50/1)

A typically competitive renewal of this race but CLOTH CAP finds himself on a nice handicap mark and while his future may be over longer trips than this, he might be well-handicapped enough to take this on his way to National bids later in the season. Top Wood goes well fresh and is a reliable sort who may be able to hit the frame while Phillip Hobbs has two interesting runners and Reikers Island is probably the pick of his pair.