14:55 Ascot

Saturday 22 January 2022

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3516:05

bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 34.11s

Fanion D'estruval⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Miss Lucy Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 159

3/1

Better than ever on the back of his reappearance in the Old Roan when a decisive winner of a handicap at Newbury in November. 8 lb rise won't prevent a very bold follow-up bid.

Form: F445-41

Palmers Hill³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 142| C| D

10/3

Low-mileage 9-y-o who is unexposed over fences and arrives in pursuit of a hat-trick following wins at Wetherby and this venue. Up 8 lb but more to come with step back up in trip a plus.

Form: 2/409-11

Killer Clown^t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 142| D

17/2

Largely progressive over fences last season. Excuses first 2 starts back and just about better than ever in a first-time tongue tie when an easy winner at Wincanton. 7 lb rise perfectly fair.

Form: 123-661

Phoenix Way^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 140| D

7/1

Fragile but talented sort who returned with a display of tentative jumping at Newbury on reappearance. Given a chance by the handicapper and much more like it when runner-up over 23.8f here latest.

Form: 1/1P4-72

Larry^p1,t⁴⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 137| C| D

22/1

Lightly raced in recent seasons but looked as good as ever when landing a 14-runner event here (23.8f) in October. Held back by a serious error at Sandown latest. Cheekpieces on first time.

Form: 8/P8-U16

Golden Whisky²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 134

14/1

Ended last season in fine fettle, winning at Ludlow (20f, heavy) and reaped benefit of reappearance with a gusty win at Chepstow 4 weeks ago. Just about stays this far and clearly in good order.

Form: P132-61

Knight In Dubai^t³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 133| BF| D

5/2

Useful hurdler who scored twice as a novice in this sphere over further during 2019/20 campaign. Missed the whole of last season but positives to draw from both starts this term.

Form: 112U/53

Non-Runners

Amour de Nuit²¹

Weight: 10-9| Age: 10

T: P F Nicholls J: H Cobden

Forecasts

Knight In Dubai (5/2), Fanion D'estruval (3/1), Palmers Hill (10/3), Phoenix Way (7/1), Amour de Nuit (7/1), Killer Clown (17/2), Golden Whisky (14/1), Larry (22/1)

PALMERS HILL has always looked pretty talented when giving his running and with this step back up in distance sure to suit, he looks the pick at the weights. Fanion d'Estruval was very impressive at Newbury and a conditional takes a handy 7 lb off, with Killer Clown another to consider in a cracking contest.