13:50 Ascot

Saturday 18 December 2021

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

Howden Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 48.33s

Dolos^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| CD

33/1

Very smart chaser at his best but his form tailed off towards the end of last season and has offered little on both starts this term, folding tamley here 4 weeks ago. Others are preferred.

Form: 4267-87

Diego Du Charmil^t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| C

14/1

Course winner in 2019 who produced a much more encouraging effort than on his return back over fences when fifth at this course 4 weeks ago. Down 3 lb and not one to rule out.

Form: 3518-95

Sully D'Oc Aa²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 144| CD

13/2

Bagged 2m Punchestown handicap in first-time cheekpieces in spring and all the better for return when third here last month. Mid-race blunder put paid to his chances last time so he's shortlisted.

Form: 821-536

Financier^t²⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 144

14/1

Scored in a maiden at Ludlow in 2019/20 and back on the up after 8 weeks off when winning at Hereford when last seen in March. Up 8 lb and has 9-month absence to overcome.

Form: 13/27F1-

Ornua¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell| OR: 143

40/1

Useful chaser who regained winning thread in small field minor event at Tramore (21.5f) in July. Below that level over hurdles at Limerick later that month and little to shout about on yard debut.

Form: 15-U138

Knight In Dubai^t⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

7/2

Useful hurdler who scored twice as a novice in this sphere over further during 2019/20 campaign. Missed the whole of last season but shaped as if retaining ability at Aintree 6 weeks ago. Can feature.

Form: 5112U/5

Palmers Hill³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 134| D

7/2

Low-mileage 8-y-o who is unexposed over fences and had a bit up his sleeve when scoring at Wetherby 5 weeks. Every chance he's still ahead of his mark.

Form: 12/409-1

Guy²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130| BF

7/2

Much improved sent chasing last season, landing 2½m handicap at Huntingdon on return. Has improved further still this year, second at this course (21f, good to soft) 29 days ago. Expected to go well.

Form: 1234-22

Zhiguli³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 125| BF

9/2

Improved in handicap hurdles last winter, doubling his tally at Plumpton in January. Fortunate to make a winning chase bow at Lingfield but not in same form when fourth last month. Can bounce back.

Form: 1217-14

Non-Runners

Slate House⁹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 9

T: C L Tizzard J: Non Runner

Golden Whisky⁴²

Weight: 10-7| Age: 8

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Palmers Hill (7/2), Knight In Dubai (7/2), Guy (7/2), Zhiguli (9/2), Sully D'Oc Aa (13/2), Diego Du Charmil (14/1), Financier (14/1), Golden Whisky (14/1), Slate House (25/1), Dolos (33/1), Ornua (40/1)

There was plenty to like about the way PALMERS HILL got off the mark on just his second start over fences on return at Wetherby 5 weeks ago. He clearly hasn't been the easiest to train, but can make light of a 4 lb rise with further improvement on the cards. Sully d'Oc AA is feared most having suffered a shuddering mid-race error at Newbury 3 weeks ago, ahead of Knight In Dubai.