12:55 Ascot

Saturday 23 November 2019

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

Horse Racing Ireland Chase (Novices' Limited Handicap)

Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 6m 18.36s

Pym²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| BF

11/4

Useful hurdler who showed improved form on his fencing debut (always runs well when fresh) at Huntingdon (2m4f). Form not as yet tested but there were four last time out winners in the field; now goes handicapping up in trip, one for the shortlist.

Form: 12210-2

Erick Le Rouge²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 137

10/1

Made a successful start to his fencing career over 2m4f at Uttoxeter but was one of the last time out winners a fair way behind Pym at Huntingdon. Looks to have a tough task off his current mark, would need to show some progress, below-par last time.

Form: 111P-15

Highest Sun¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 136

3/1

Useful hurdler who made a fair start to his chasing career (has the make/shape for this discipline) when third to Champ at Newbury. Switches to handicaps off a tempting mark although his jumping needs some work; stable a little quiet currently.

Form: 4210-33

Spider's Bite³³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: L P Aspell| T: H D Daly| OR: 132| BF| D

9/1

Always looked the part for fences; shaped well on his chasing debut late last year before failing to complete (unseated) next time at Ludlow (travelling well). Not seen since, still unexposed in this sphere; has on occasions looked a little quirky.

Form: 61P/52U-

Deise Aba²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| D

10/1

Shaped better than the letter in his form figures suggests on his chasing debut at Aintree (3m1f); spared a hard race once tired. That was his first run for seven months so entitled to come on; dropped 3lb, stable in good form, hard to ignore.

Form: 1144-P

Darling Maltaix^h²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128| C

6/1

Often a difficult ride over hurdles (pulls hard); settled better on his fencing debut (ridden in typical quiet fashion, held up) finishing fourth here over 2m3f. Will be better for the run, interesting if over exuberance doesn't spoil his chance.

Form: 3155F-4

Kapgarry²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| D

7/1

Off the mark over fences when running out at 10L winner at Wetherby last time (2m4f, heavy) but flattered on the whole by the performance. Back up in trip against better opposition off a 9lb higher mark this demands more than he can possibly offer.

Form: 060P-31

Neachells Bridge²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 123

14/1

Went in the wrong direction from his chasing debut in a more competitive contest than he made his debut in here over 2m3f. Back up in trip but work to do with Darling Maltaix on that form; plenty to prove off this mark, others appeal more.

Form: 3/512-38

Forecasts

Pym (11/4), Highest Sun (3/1), Darling Maltaix (6/1), Kapgarry (7/1), Spider's Bite (9/1), Deise Aba (10/1), Erick Le Rouge (10/1), Neachells Bridge (14/1)

Several interesting sorts in this with Pym having caught the eye last time out on his Huntingdon chase debut although most of his best form has come when he’s been caught fresh; he’s only had 20 days off here. Kapgarry won in visually impressive style last time but the substance of that form is open to question while Highest Sun has to be respected on his run behind Champ but his stable may be lacking a little spark of late. Spider’s Bite enters the equation but his owner may have a better chance with DEISE ABA who ran far better than his pulled up effort last time out would suggest; he should do better here with that run having blown away the cobwebs.