14:40 Ascot

Saturday 29 October 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:03

Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 6.89s

Daly Tiger⁹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan| OR: 150| D

28/1

Very useful winning hurdler/chaser at his best but well below par of late for Noel Meade. Needs to take a big step forward for his new yard.

Form: 1440F-0

Before Midnight²⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 147| CD

13/2

Has built up a very solid record over fences, scoring over C&D last term. He has won off a break too so is one for the shortlist.

Form: 1/11426-

Nassalam²⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 145| C

3/1

Enjoyed a good first season over fences, including here on his reappearance and at Fontwell on his final run. Can't be ruled out despite having a career-high mark to overcome.

Form: 0/11221-

Amoola Gold^p¹⁹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 143| CD

13/2

Smart and largely consistent chaser who has scored on his seasonal return for the past two seasons. Also landed this prize in 2020 so he must enter calculations.

Form: 264384-

Frero Banbou²⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 142| D

13/2

Took his form up a notch last season, scoring at Lingfield (2m) and also posting a very good third in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival. A winner off a break too so he's a player on his reappearance.

Form: 331239-

Thyme White²⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142

9/1

Useful hurdler/chaser who got off the mark at the third attempt over fences at Doncaster (16.3f) in December. Made mistakes before falling 3 out at Aintree on his final run but he remains with potential.

Form: 7/2U12F-

Gumball²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137| C

10/3

Smart hurdler/chaser at his best who shaped encouragingly after 5 months off when second on the Flat here last month. Not dismissed back in this sphere.

Form: 03/482P-

Monsieur Lecoq^b,t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 130

8/1

Took this event 12 months ago and should strip fitter for his recent return over hurdles when fourth of 5 at Chepstow. One to consider with blinkers back on.

Form: 67P21-4

Non-Runners

Diego Du Charmil¹⁸⁰

Weight: 11-8| Age: 10

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Joke Dancer¹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 9

T: J Parkinson & S Smith J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Nassalam (3/1), Gumball (10/3), Diego Du Charmil (6/1), Frero Banbou (13/2), Before Midnight (13/2), Amoola Gold (13/2), Monsieur Lecoq (8/1), Thyme White (9/1), Joke Dancer (20/1), Daly Tiger (28/1)

Venetia Williams' FRERO BANBOU made very good strides last term but still starts this season on a handy-looking mark and is fancied to make a winning return. Amoola Gold landed this event back in 2020 and also possesses an excellent record fresh so rates a big threat, while C&D winner Before Midnight and in-form Gumball need shortlisting too.