15:00 Ascot

Saturday 21 December 2024

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 9.98s

Threeunderthrufive^p,t²³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155| CD

22/1

Dual Grade 2 winner as a novice who posted a couple of solid efforts in defeat before returning to winning ways over C&D in February. Below form on final outing at Sandown (28.7f, good) in the spring and his mark still looks on the high side (yard's runners have mostly been needing the run).

Form: 84/2210-

Trelawne^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 152

4/1

Winner of 3 of his 4 starts over hurdles and made a successful debut over fences at Carlisle (2½m) last November. Enhanced his fine record fresh when winning a graduation event at Haydock (21.6f, soft) 4 weeks ago, impressing with his jumping from the front and digging deep. In the mix again.

Form: 1323F-1

Two For Gold^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Burke| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 150| CD

22/1

Unreliable type who had been given breathing surgery in the summer and ran creditably after 7 months off when fourth of 10 over C&D (good) 7 weeks ago, though was ideally positioned the way the race unfolded. Failed to kick on after a promising return last season, so others more appealing.

Form: P9P26-4

Victtorino²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 143| CD

5/2

Won back-to-back over C&D this time last year, latterly this corresponding race. Ended his campaign with a disappointing run at Cheltenham but ran creditably after 9 months off when a staying-on third of 13 at Newbury (26f, good to soft) 3 weeks ago. Big chance of a repeat success back here.

Form: 1174P-3

Hartur D'arc³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Stone-Walsh⁽³⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 139| D

18/1

Won a 2½m Clonmel maiden chase and Leinster National at Naas (25.5f) on first 2 outings for this yard last season. Tailed off in Irish Grand National next start and entitled to sharper for his Cheltenham (20.2f, good) reappearance 5 weeks ago. Place claims back up in trip.

Form: 23110-9

Heloy Delabarriere^p1,t1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: F Bayle| T: A Chaille-Chaille| OR: 139

3/1

Smart hurdler who arrives on the back of a couple of good runner-up efforts on his last 2 starts, most recently in Grade 1 Grand Prix d'Automne at Auteuil (23.9f, soft) 5 weeks ago. Finished third all 3 starts in 2023/24 over fences and this French raider commands respect back chasing.

Form: 3-55322

The Changing Man^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: J Tizzard| OR: 135| BF

10/3

Progressive over hurdles but mixed record over fences last season. Had wind op before failing to complete in Badger Beer at Wincanton on return but unlucky to bump into one considering the distance back to the rest in Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle (23.4f, good) since. Up 5 lb but plenty to like.

Form: U442-F2

Flegmatik^p,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134| D

22/1

Ended a near 2-year losing run when scoring at Kempton (24f) in January. Excuses first 2 starts this season and was flying far too high in Grade 2 company at this course (21f, good to soft) 4 weeks ago. Headgear back on so worth a second look from his reduced mark.

Form: 2P-7784

Forecasts

Victtorino (5/2), Heloy Delabarriere (3/1), The Changing Man (10/3), Trelawne (4/1), Hartur D'arc (18/1), Threeunderthrufive (22/1), Flegmatik (22/1), Two For Gold (22/1)

VICTTORINO was a back-to-back winner over C&D this time last season (latterly this race) and, likely to be sharper with his reappearance behind him, Venetia Williams is fancied to continue her purple patch and snag another significant pot. Heading up the dangers is The Changing Man, who was unlucky to bump into one in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle 3 weeks ago, with recent Haydock winner Trelawne and French-raider Heloy Delabarriere taken to fight out third.