15:20 Ascot

Saturday 23 November 2019

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:2015:50

Gerard Bertrand Hurst Park Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 4m 11.58s

Diego Du Charmil^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 156| CD

6/1

Returning from wind surgery after failing in top-class company in a C&D handicap last time taking the victory in bizarre circumstances. Nearly threw the race away having been given a chance by the handicapper; raised 6lb for that effort.

Form: 5/5235-1

Imperial Presence²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 148

25/1

In better form in 2018 when he completed a hat-trick over fences and when fourth in a decent Cheltenham handicap in April off 2lb higher. Lost his way since though, pulled up lame and falling over C&D last time; one of the lesser lights.

Form: 1124-PF

Ballywood²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 147| D

16/1

Scored three times last season over fences in 2m handicaps beating small fields each time. Didn't quite live up to that mark when upped in trip/grade in April; unseated rider early on during his comeback run behind Diego Du Charmil; may need this.

Form: 11214-U

Speredek^p,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 147| D

7/1

Second in this last year off a 4lb higher mark he's a smart front-running chaser at his best. Finished well held over C&D on his comeback run last time (behind several of today's rivals); could well have needed that run, (conservatively ridden).

Form: 8/24F6-6

Knocknanuss^b1²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 146| D

5/1

One who likes to get on with things although he was found out by that run style in Grade 1 company in his novice campaign. Returned to handicaps last time (ran in his usual exuberant style), ran well, still unexposed over fences, exciting prospect.

Form: 12F55-3

Caid Du Lin^b,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 145| CD

9/1

Winner of this last year he'll find this a tough ask this time around, off a 6lb higher mark. Not won since his glory day last year; did show up well enough off this mark on his Chepstow return; below-par over C&D last time, repeat remains unlikely.

Form: 1027-24

Capeland^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143

7/2

Three-time chase winner in 2018 at up to 2m4f; ran with credit after the last of those victories off much higher marks. Shaped as well as ever when desperately unlucky over C&D last time (forced out at the last by stablemate); deserves compensation.

Form: 12284-D

The Last Day¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 142

9/2

Capped off a successful first season over fences with an easy Carlisle novice victory over 2m in testing conditions. Returned in most impressive fashion after eight months off with an Aintree win; up 11lb but remains with scope to improve again.

Form: 1/F221-1

Marracudja^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

14/1

Third in this last year off 1lb lower mark that outing forms part of a fair losing sequence. Despite that and some subsequent starts being decent form he's not looked anywhere near his best on his two most recent starts; jumping fails to convince.

Form: 3283-85

Vaniteux^p,t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 132| D

12/1

Became a frustrating sort for David Pipe often flattering to deceive before departing for current yard. Regained the winning thread in France over the summer before running his best race for two years last time out at Cheltenham; well handicapped.

Form: 50-8162

Non-Runners

Northern Beau²⁸

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: M Scudamore J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Capeland (7/2), The Last Day (9/2), Knocknanuss (5/1), Diego Du Charmil (6/1), Speredek (7/1), Caid Du Lin (9/1), Vaniteux (12/1), Marracudja (14/1), Ballywood (16/1), Imperial Presence (25/1), Northern Beau (50/1)

This should be run at quite a pace although the main focus may well be on the rematch between stablemates Diego Du Charmil and Capeland after their barging match at the final fence last month. The former emerged with a controversial win while the later was disqualified, 6lb better off this time those placings may be reversed. The 1-2-3 from last years contest all turn up again with the second Speredek looking to go one better although he may face competition for the lead from Knocknanuss (blinkers on for the first-time). That pair may well set the race up for a closer in THE LAST DAY who despite a hefty rise in the weights still looks unexposed over fences and can follow up his Aintree win.