15:00 Ascot

Saturday 19 December 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Good Luck Hollie In SPOTY Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 26.4s

Beware The Bear^b²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 157| CD

15/2

Won Ultima at 2019 Cheltenham Festival. Even better form when fourth of 24 in Ladbrokes Trophy on last year's reappearance, but had to settle for fifth in this year's renewal.

Form: 11P/48-5

Mister Malarky^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 150| CD

16/1

Won Grade 3 handicap at Kempton last winter, but below par behind Regal Encore on reappearance and was off the bridle when unseating in Ladbrokes Trophy last time. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 6P1P-6U

Espoir De Guye²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 150| C

11/4

Rapid improved over fences for this yard last term and returned better than ever after a second wind op when winning 9-runner handicap here (21f) on return. Up 6 lb but may still have more to offer.

Form: 2/211P-1

Regal Encore^t²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 150| CD

17/2

Landed this race for a second time 12 months ago and added to his good course record when taking Grade 3 Handicap on return. Pulled up at Newbury but not one to take lightly now retuning to Ascot.

Form: 2P13-1P

Sub Lieutenant^t¹⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 147

66/1

Fared better reverting to prominent tactics back in calmer waters when runner-up at Galway (22.5f) in July, but essentially isn't the force of old. First run for yard after leaving Henry De Bromhead.

Form: P2/74-02

The Conditional^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 146| D

7/2

Enjoyed excellent first season with this yard, concluding with victory in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival. Ran a cracker in the Ladbrokes Trophy on return and another bold bid anticipated.

Form: 31241-3

Fauburg Rosetgri²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 143

66/1

Showed fairly useful form over fences/hurdles at up to 23f in France. Pulled up on his last 3 starts, however, including back over hurdles after 10 months off at Haydock recently.

Form: 415PP-P

Quarenta²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 142| CD

15/2

Has shown some quirks but proved at least as good as ever after 8 months off when scoring over C&D 29 days ago. travelling well and staying on to lead after last. Up 5 lb but respected.

Form: 4127B-1

Flying Angel^v¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140| C

11/1

Very capable performer when on song but is hard to catch right. Returned to form from out of the blue when fourth at Aintree (21.1f) 2 weeks ago, but is just as likely to run poorly this time.

Form: 1469-P4

Ardlethen²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| D

11/2

Useful chaser who fared about as well as could be expected in a 2½m Carlisle listed event on return. Not disgraced at Newbury subsequently, though others saw the race out better than he did.

Form: 3520-56

Non-Runners

Enfant Roi²⁰

Weight: 10-1| Age: 6

T: Mrs S Leech J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Espoir De Guye (11/4), The Conditional (7/2), Ardlethen (11/2), Beware The Bear (15/2), Quarenta (15/2), Regal Encore (17/2), Flying Angel (11/1), Mister Malarky (16/1), Enfant Roi (16/1), Sub Lieutenant (66/1), Fauburg Rosetgri (66/1)

THE CONDITIONAL had an excellent first season with David Bridgwater in 2019/20 and looks set for another productive campaign judged on his promising third in the Ladbrokes Trophy on his reappearance, so appeals as the most solid option. Espoir de Guye is up 6 lb for his latest success but still may have more to offer, while Regal Encore can never be one to take lightly at this venue.