14:05 Ascot

Saturday 23 November 2024

All12:2512:5513:3014:0514:4515:2015:50

1st Class Logistics Berkshire National Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 7m 33.21s

Beauport²¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 144

13/2

Bit of a mixed record over fences but he's smart on his day and put it altogether when overcoming some sticky jumping to land the Midlands National at Uttoxeter (4¼m, heavy). Never a factor in the Scottish National a month later but this is easier and yard adept at readying one.

Form: F/52P1P-

Kitty's Light^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: Christian Williams| OR: 140| D

15/2

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 needed to see more over 3m here 3 weeks ago. Step back up in trip will help his cause, at least.

Form: 5759-69

Slipway⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 136

8/1

Strong stayer who dispelled a couple of low-key efforts when resuming winning ways at Kempton (3m) in March. Well held in Bet365 Gold Cup on final start in April and just a creditable cross-country debut when fifth on last week's reappearance. Given chance by the handicapper.

Form: P/9010-5

What Path^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 136

18/1

Useful hurdler. Ridden too aggressively on chase bow/final start for Willie Mullins. Decent effort sole start for Sophie Leech when third in maiden chase at Galway in August and ran over an inadequate trip on stable debut over 18.8f here 3 weeks ago. Hiked up in trip and lots to prove.

Form: 400-333

Fortescue^b²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Hugh Nugent⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 133| C

8/1

Hasn't always looked an easy ride and fairly lightly raced in recent times but went with more zest than has been the case when runner-up on last month's reappearance. Eased 2 lb and possible he will strip fitter for that.

Form: 27220-2

Inis Oirr^v³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 130| BF

10/3

Much improved for a first-time visor and an increased stamina test when bolting up in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh (4m, good to soft) in February. Ridden with more restraint and fell in the Scottish National but sound-enough efforts this season and step back up in trip will help.

Form: 251F-33

The Big Breakaway^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 130

25/1

Now 18 lb lower compared to when finishing second in the Welsh National at Chepstow in December 2022 but hasn't come close to matching that form in 8 subsequent appearances, in trouble early on recent stable debut.

Form: 5PP66-P

Dom Of Mary²⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 126WS

9/1

Shaped well a couple of times before putting up a career-best effort to score in the Sussex National at Plumpton in January (28.5f), going clear impressively. Matched that form from revised mark at Sandown before finding the Kim Muir too much. May need this on return minus headgear.

Form: 546138-

Olivers Travels^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 125

9/1

Bumper/hurdles winner who has improved significantly with cheekpieces fitted over fences, landing back-to-back Worcester handicaps (23f) this summer. Held back by mistakes since.

Form: 311254

Duke Of Deception^p³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 123

11/2

Likeable type who confirmed previous promise when merely pushed out to win 6-runner handicap chase at Haydock (25.6f, soft) in March. Probably should have followed up at Perth on final outing last term and should be spot on following a spin over hurdles last month.

Form: 42212-5

Non-Runners

Art Decco²³⁷

Weight: 10-6| Age: 8

T: R Walford J: Harry Kimber

Forecasts

Inis Oirr (10/3), Duke Of Deception (11/2), Beauport (13/2), Art Decco (7/1), Kitty's Light (15/2), Fortescue (8/1), Slipway (8/1), Dom Of Mary (9/1), Olivers Travels (9/1), What Path (18/1), The Big Breakaway (25/1)

Stamina is SLIPWAY's forte and with this test more suitable than the cross-country race he contested last week, he's tentatively offered to exploit a handy mark. Beauport's record fresh is pretty encouraging so he's on the shortlist, with Fortescue likely to be on the premises again.