15:00 Ascot

Saturday 23 January 2021

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 36.10s

Bennys King³⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 154| C| D

5/1

Still on the upgrade and was all the better for return when resuming winning ways here (18.8f) 5 weeks ago. Cleary goes well around here and 7 lb rise looks fair, so high on the shortlist.

Form: 6152-51

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Capeland^p,t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| C

18/1

Back on track in first-time cheekpieces when third here (2m) in November and enhanced excellent record at Wincanton when winning there (20f) 2 weeks ago. Respected up 4 lb.

Form: 50-F361

Dashel Drasher³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 152| CD

6/1

Likeable, multiple hurdles winner who ended last term with success in Haydock novice chase (21.5f). All the better for return when making all in 3-runner event over C&D and opening mark is a fair one.

Form: 1/2U1-31

Espoir De Guye^t1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 149| BF| CD

6/1

Rapid improved over fences for this yard last term and returned better than ever when winning C&D handicap on return. Disappointed upped in trip here since but type to bounce back. Tongue strap on.

Form: 211P-18

Acting Lass^t⁷³

18/1

Successful in Chepstow handicap chase in the mud before a fine run in the Ascot Silver Cup last winter. Finished lame on final outing last season. however, and again shaped as if amiss on return.

Form: P912P-P

Windsor Avenue²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 147

9/1

Quickly developed into a smart chaser last term and found only Imperial Aura too good at Carlisle on return. Quickly back on track when third at Wetherby and should be on the premises again.

Form: 12F-2P3

Good Boy Bobby⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 144

3/1

Useful hurdler but better over fences, albeit never truly in the hunt when well backed for the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham 6 weeks ago. Remains low mileage.

Form: 125-124

Jerrysback³⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 142| D

8/1

Low-mileage 9-y-o who finished runner-up in pair of Grade 2s during 2018/19. Good third in Silver Cup here (23.8f, heavy) when last seen 13 months ago and interesting to see how the market speaks.

Form: 1223/03-

Jonniesofa⁴¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 141| D

33/1

Lightly-raced chaser who didn't need to improve to make a winning return in 7-runner handicap at Carlisle 41 days ago. Still feasibly treated after a rise but the suspicion is that he's best fresh.

Form: 2/1465-1

Young Wolf²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 140

40/1

Likeable chaser who resumed winning ways in 25.4f Warwick handicap before second of 4 in novice at Fakenham. Needs to shrug off a below-par effort at Newbury, however, and ideally wants further.

Form: 1-12126

Domaine De L'Isle^b1,t¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: S Curran| OR: 140| CD

16/1

Form: 15-4P84

Touch Kick^p1¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: J Kington| T: S G West| OR: 138| D

125/1

Useful chaser at best for Paul Nicholls but sent off 80/1 before falling seventh in 21f Aintree handicap for new yard on return and down the field in jumpers bumper since. Headgear fitted.

Form: 1624-F7

Colorado Doc²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: D Brace| OR: 134

25/1

Prolific point winner who went right way under Rules last season, readily landing 2½m Plumpton novice handicap in February. Reportedly lost action at Newbury on return and this a tough ask.

Form: 1/2221-P

Louis' Vac Pouch⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: W T Kennedy| T: P A Kirby| OR: 132| D

50/1

Fairly useful winning hurdler/chaser though not made a significant impact so far this campaign, well-held seventh in an Aintree handicap (19.9f) early last month. Others preferred.

Form: 27-7F77

Forecasts

Good Boy Bobby (3/1), Bennys King (5/1), Dashel Drasher (6/1), Espoir De Guye (6/1), Jerrysback (8/1), Windsor Avenue (9/1), Domaine De L'Isle (16/1), Capeland (18/1), Acting Lass (18/1), Colorado Doc (25/1), Jonniesofa (33/1), Young Wolf (40/1), Louis' Vac Pouch (50/1), Touch Kick (125/1)

BENNYS KING proved better than ever when winning a similar event here 5 weeks ago and that form is backed up by the timefigure, so he's taken to defy a 7 lb rise. Espoir de Guye was disappointing here last time but is worth another chance given his overall profile and may emerge as the biggest threat, with Dashel Drasher and Good Boy Bobby other likely dangers.