15:00 Ascot

Saturday 18 January 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

bet365 Handicap Chase

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 25.05s

Kildisart²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 153| CD

6/1

Three-time winner as a novice fourth in an exceptional renewal of the JLT at Cheltenham over this trip. Disappointed in Silver Cup latest here (3m1f, heavy) which tempered some enthusiasm but certainly respected today.

Form: 1141-36

Happy Diva^t²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 149| CD

7/2

Got her deserved big day when winning early-season highlight BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham (2m4f) before narrow defeat to Queen of Wetherby Lady Buttons. Handicapper knows all about her but anything but a bold bid highly unlikely.

Form: 1U2-212

Bennys King²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| D

14/1

Three from five since joining this yard with wins from 2m3½f to 2m6½f including on heavy. May not have lasted 3m in the Roland Meyrick behind classy Top Ville Ben latest but better expected here. Handicapper may however have caught up.

Form: P/11-615

Domaine De L'Isle^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: David Bass| T: S Curran| OR: 140

5/1

10L winner of a 2m3½f Chepstow handicap upped 10lb for that but followed up by 5½L over 2m7½f at Newcastle next. Gets another 10lb from the handicapper as he goes up in class but still merits maximum respect.

Form: P4-3611

Allysson Monterg^p,t³⁵⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: J J Burke| T: R Hobson| OR: 138| DWS

5/1

Won twice late the previous season but no show in three races last term. Had a wind-op since finishing fourth to Frodon last January at Cheltenham. Others more solid options.

Form: P31/7P4-

Kayf Adventure²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| D

8/1

Won twice in the 2017-18 season but lightly raced and winless since. Not disgraced at Chepstow latest but would need a big step up on that to make the frame today.

Form: 2/5U-3P4

Sam's Adventure^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 129| BF

7/2

Northern raider still winless over fences (three starts) but seconds at Newcastle the last twice including to Domaine De L'Isle latest show his potential. 8lb better off with that rival today and will relish the ground; no forlawn hope.

Form: 415-422

Aintree My Dream^h,t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: P J Brennan| T: M F Harris| OR: 127| D

12/1

Stratford win in April on stable debut remains his only win over fences in 11 tries. Mixed bag since then but nothing to suggest he can be competitive at this level.

Form: P57333

Non-Runners

Flying Angel⁴²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: 2nd Preference

Espoir De Guye²⁸

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: Miss V Williams J: Charlie Deutsch

Red Indian²⁸⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: Miss Kelly Morgan J: 2nd Preference

Forecasts

Happy Diva (7/2), Sam's Adventure (7/2), Espoir De Guye (7/2), Domaine De L'Isle (5/1), Allysson Monterg (5/1), Kildisart (6/1), Kayf Adventure (8/1), Flying Angel (8/1), Aintree My Dream (12/1), Bennys King (14/1), Red Indian (25/1)

Although it is highly unlikely that there is another Cyrname in this year's renewal there does look another up and coming star in the making in ESPOIR DE GUYE who fairly bolted up here over 2m3f last time out. A 14lb rise in a tougher race isn't enough to temper enthusiasm in Venetia Williams' novice; the yard won this race in 2016. Big handicap specialist Happy Diva always goes well in such contests as she showed when third in this 12 months ago. She seems better than ever this season and looks nailed on to make the frame. It is hard to gauge how good Domaine De L'Isle can be after two most impressive wins and he certainly merits consideration.