15:45 Ascot

Saturday 2 November 2024

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

Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 5m 58.38s

Chianti Classico^t²⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 152| CD

11/4

Quickly developed into a smart chaser last term, gaining his third win in the Ultima Handicap at Cheltenham. Signed off with a very good fourth in Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree (25f) and big shout on his return with more to come.

Form: P/11214-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Two For Gold^p,t²⁰⁹

20/1

Unreliable type who came in last of 6 in handicap chase at Carlisle (24.5f) in April. Since undergone breathing surgery so this C&D winner is no forlorn hope.

Form: 2P9P26-

Solo^t²²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147WS

20/1

A dual 2m4f chase winner in 2022/23 but off for 7 months since coming in last of 6 in handicap chase at Newbury (19.8f). Has won when fresh though so he's one to consider on the back of a wind op.

Form: 21P/226-

Kitty's Light^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams| OR: 143| D

40/1

Scottish National hero in 2022/23 and an excellent fifth in Grand National last term. Went without his usual headgear when a well-held sixth at Chepstow (3m) on his return and could again find trip on the sharp side here.

Form: 0575-96

Amirite^t³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Mike O'Connor⁽³⁾| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142| D

7/2

On a long losing run and he came in only twelfth of 17 in handicap chase at Listowel (23.8f) 38 days ago. This Irish raider needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 45-5290

Flegmatik^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 139| D

22/1

Ended a near 2-year losing run when scoring at Kempton (24f) in January. Given a considerate return when seventh in 2m4f Chepstow handicap last month so he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 142P-77

Neon Moon^b,t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 136| D

11/2

Not proved the most reliable but he advanced his form on the back of wind surgery when landing 11-runner handicap chase at Chepstow (23.6f) 21 days ago. Needs to reproduce it now off a 4 lb higher mark.

Form: 5551-31

Highstakesplayer¹⁹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 135| D

9/2

Likeable sort who made it 4-5 over fences in 3m handicap chase at Kempton in April. Up 5 lb but he's very much one to consider on his reappearance.

Form: 211/1P1-

Mylesfromwicklow^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| D

15/2

Has taken his form up a notch this season, second of 6 in handicap chase at Market Rasen (21.4f) 18 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up once more nudged up 1 lb.

Form: 451-232

Hidden Depths^p,t¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 129| D

14/1

Dual-purpose performer who bids for a hat-trick after wins at Perth and Market Rasen of late. Up 3 lb but he comes into the reckoning again.

Form: 14-1411

Non-Runners

Our Power³³⁶

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: S Thomas J: Dylan Johnston

Forecasts

Chianti Classico (11/4), Amirite (7/2), Highstakesplayer (9/2), Neon Moon (11/2), Our Power (7/1), Mylesfromwicklow (15/2), Hidden Depths (14/1), Two For Gold (20/1), Solo (20/1), Flegmatik (22/1), Kitty's Light (40/1)

Lots with chances but Ultima hero CHIANTI CLASSICO begins his second season as a chaser on an attractive mark and with better to come from Kim Bailey's highly progressive sort he looks very much the way to go. Highstakesplayer boasts an impressive strike rate over fences and heads the list of dangers, although the lightly-raced Our Power is also weighted to have a say and in-form duo Hidden Depths and Mylesfromwicklow need factoring in too.