14:05 Ascot

Saturday 2 November 2024

All12:5513:3014:0514:3515:1515:4516:20

Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 59.83s

Master Chewy²⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 154

11/4

Much improved switching to chasing last season, winning twice and signing off with an excellent head second to Found A Fifty in Maghull Novices' Chase at Aintree. Expected to be bang there on his return for a yard among the winners.

Form: 2214F2-

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Uncle Phil^h,t¹⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 149| D

11/1

A three-time chase scorer last term but he's been off since pulled up in handicap chase at Punchestown (16.2f) in June. Hood goes back on and no surprise to see this Irish raider bounce back.

Form: 13150-P

Malystic²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: P D Niven| OR: 149| D

28/1

Winless since 2022/23 but he got right back on track when runner-up in 2m1f Kelso handicap chase 27 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 67P33-2

Matterhorn^t⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147| BF| D

12/1

Won his first 4 starts in handicap chases this season but made a bad early error when pulled up in 2m handicap at Newton Abbot last time. He's well worth another chance.

Form: P-1111P

Madara^p,t²³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 142| D

11/2

Much improved for Sophie Leach last term, scoring at Cheltenham and Leopardstown. Off 7 months but he's no forlorn hope for his new handler.

Form: 2U6119-

Saint Segal^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 135| D

6/1

On a losing run but he wasn't disgraced on the back of a wind op when fourth of 10 in handicap chase at Chepstow (19.4f, good) 21 days ago. Needs to build on it.

Form: F2U36-4

Martator^p¹⁸⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 134| CD

6/1

Ended last season firmly on the up when completing his hat-trick at Sandown (20f) in April. This C&D winner must enter calculations on his seasonal return.

Form: 22311-1

Kotmask¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| D

9/1

A three-time scorer over fences last term but he turned in a lacklustre display when fourth of 9 to Martator at Sandown (20f) final run. Still needs considering with his yard going well though.

Form: 411F3-4

Issar D'Airy¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 126

18/1

Landed back-to-back 2m handicaps at Newbury last winter and not disgraced when fifth in 2m2f Kempton handicap final run. No forlorn hope on his reappearance.

Form: 1/31155-

Frere d'Armes¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss Heidi Palin⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 125

17/2

It's now 13 runs since his last win in 2022 but he recorded a good second of 6 in handicap chase at Kempton (18f) 13 days ago. Not ruled out despite being 3 lb "wrong" in the weights.

Form: 34-8832

Forecasts

Master Chewy (11/4), Madara (11/2), Martator (6/1), Saint Segal (6/1), Frere d'Armes (17/2), Kotmask (9/1), Uncle Phil (11/1), Matterhorn (12/1), Issar D'Airy (18/1), Malystic (28/1)

MASTER CHEWY enjoyed an excellent first season over fences and is fancied to capitalise on an attractive mark back in handicap company on his return. Matterhorn is worth forgiving his blip at Newton Abbot last time and could emerge as the chief threat, although Martator, Uncle Phil and Frere D'Armes can all make their presence felt too in this cracking handicap.