14:05 Ascot

Saturday 4 November 2023

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:15

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

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 4m 4.69s

First Flow¹⁸⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 158| CD

6/1

High-class chaser on his day and best effort from 3 starts last season when 4 lengths second of 6 in Grade 2 Chase (10/1) at Sandown (22.8f, good) in April. Has form figures of 23113 when completing over fences at this track so must be respected on return.

Form: 613/3U2-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Funambule Sivola¹⁸⁹

11/1

Runner-up in Champion Chase in 2022 and landed the 4-runner Game Spirit at Newbury (16.4f) for the second year running in February. Poor effort final start but respected back in a handicap on return.

Form: 6451F5-

Boothill^t²⁵²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 149| BF| CD

7/2

Useful hurdles winner who quickly developed into an even better chaser last season, recording third win in this sphere when landing Grade 2 Novice at Kempton (2m) during the Christmas period. Also won a C&D handicap so good run looks on the cards back in a handicap.

Form: 112123-

Red Rookie¹⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 140| BF| D

5/1

Lightly campaigned last term, returning to pick of his form when landing 6-runner Warwick handicap (16.2f, heavy) in March, forging clear. Looked rather flat at Kempton 5 weeks later but off since.

Form: 1F/531-3

Saint Segal^t²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 137| BF| DWS

6/1

Has made an encouraging start to his chasing career, winning first 2 starts, and likely to have maintained his unbeaten record in this sphere but for conceding first run to the winner at Doncaster (16.4f, good). Bit too keen at Warwick final start.

Form: 651124-

The Last Day²⁰⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 135

28/1

Sparingly campaigned for a horse of his age and easily best effort from 3 starts last year when third in Red Rum at Aintree (won that race the previous year). Likely to need this.

Form: 6F1/5P3-

Cap Du Mathan^t¹⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135

8/1

Dual-winning hurdler who opened account over fences in a Taunton handicap in January. Followed up in an Exeter novice a month later but shaped as if amiss at Sandown on final start.

Form: 31122P-

Frere d'Armes^t¹⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: C Gethings| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| BF

6/1

Surpassed hurdle exploits when making a successful start to chase career at Kempton on return last season and further improvement when defying 8 lb rise at Newbury. Good second back from a break over C&D in April and might have found next run coming too soon. Goes well fresh and remains of interest.

Form: 65/1127-

Quel Destin^p¹⁸⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134| DWS

10/1

Smart hurdler who landed a small-field Lingfield beginners' chase in January. Patchy form overall in this sphere but last 2 efforts at Sandown were decent.

Form: 3P1323-

Forecasts

Boothill (7/2), Red Rookie (5/1), First Flow (6/1), Saint Segal (6/1), Frere d'Armes (6/1), Cap Du Mathan (8/1), Quel Destin (10/1), Funambule Sivola (11/1), The Last Day (28/1)

FRERE D'ARMES disappointed on his final outing but he did very well over fences last season otherwise and remains on a decent mark for the start of this campaign. Boothill's 3 wins over fences last season includes a C&D handicap so is another to consider along with First Flow, who has a very good record around here.