14:25 Ascot

Sunday 2 April 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Soil Science Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 24.33s

Gamaret²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 122| BF

9/2

Has won a bumper, a hurdle race and a chase in just 5 career outings, making a successful chase/handicap bow at Newbury after 11 months off on New Year's Eve. Found only a progressive rival too good at Sandown (15.4f) last month so is one to consider upped in trip.

Form: 121-12

Upton Road²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 118

5/1

Irish point winner who remains a maiden under Rules but he's lightly-raced and improved at Exeter and Hereford in January, finding just one too good on each occasion. Failed to get home over 3m at Sandown since so a better showing anticipated here.

Form: 4-7P225

Eaton Collina³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 112

2/1

Hereford hurdles winner (at 19.7f) last season who having slipped to the same mark, opened his account over the larger obstacles at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft) just over 5 weeks ago, proving more resolute than the runner-up. No reason to suggest he won't be bang there again.

Form: U-34U51

Allo Allo⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 112

5/1

Won maiden/handicap hurdles at up to 23f at Fakenham this term and shaped well on chasing debut having been in front from halfway in a well-run affair when runner-up at Carlisle (20f, good to soft) just under 6 weeks ago. Sure to progress with that under his belt.

Form: 2-51412

William Cody³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 108| BF

10/3

Already a much better chaser than hurdler, gaining his second win over 20f at Huntingdon on Boxing Day. Unable to justify favouritism on both subsequent starts (traded at 1.03 in-running when beaten 4 lengths by Northern Poet last time) but may well be in the mix.

Form: 212132

Valirann Gold^h,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: H Brown| OR: 89

18/1

Much improved for the switch to front-running tactics when scoring over 2m at Chepstow in January but has finished a well-beaten third on both starts since. Easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: P66133

Non-Runners

Kayf Hernando⁹³

Weight: 11-12| Age: 7

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Northern Poet³⁸

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: N J Gifford J: James Davies

Forecasts

Eaton Collina (2/1), William Cody (10/3), Kayf Hernando (9/2), Gamaret (9/2), Upton Road (5/1), Allo Allo (5/1), Northern Poet (7/1), Valirann Gold (18/1)

EATON COLLINA showed a tenacious attitude to get off the mark over fences at Chepstow recently and a 5 lb rise may not be enough to prevent Kerry Lee's 8-y-o from doubling his tally. The main danger could be Allo Allo, who is a horse heading in the right direction and shaped well when runner-up on chasing debut at Carlisle just under 6 weeks ago. Upton Road looks best of the remainder.