Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 5m 15.22s

Blue Lord^t⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Slevin| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154

18/1

Very smart chaser at best but hasn't fired in either start this term and has something to prove tried over longer trip here.

Form: 283/4-46

Corbetts Cross⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: E Mullins| OR: 166| D

7/4

High-class chaser who landed National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham in March before a fine third in Bowl at Aintree (25f). Proved somewhat disappointing in King George last time but must be taken seriously here despite concerns over the drop back in trip.

Form: 2F13-26

Flegmatik^p,t⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| BF| D

100/1

Useful handicapper at best but will likely be looking for minor prize money against this opposition.

Form: 784533

L'Homme Presse²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 163| CD

11/4

Top-class chaser who posted creditable third in King George at Kempton on return before getting back to winning ways in 6-runner Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham (25.2f, soft) 21 days ago. Looks sure to be involved again despite his marked preference for jumping out to his left.

Form: U/124-31

Le Patron⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 152

16/1

Grade 1-winning novice chaser who made a taking comeback when landing handicap at Newbury (19.9f) in November. Poor run at Cheltenham next time but this course should be more up his street and no surprise if he bounces back to form.

Form: 114P-10

Pic D'Orhy^t⁸⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 161| CD

9/5

High-class chaser with a fine record at this venue (won this contest 12 months ago) and didn't need to be at his best when landing 4-runner 1965 Chase on return over C&D in November. Sure to have been primed for repeat bid and holds strong claims.

Form: 1/121P-1

Forecasts

Corbetts Cross (7/4), Pic D'Orhy (9/5), L'Homme Presse (11/4), Le Patron (16/1), Blue Lord (18/1), Flegmatik (100/1)

Last year's winner PIC D'ORHY goes particularly well here and makes plenty of appeal in his quest to take the prize home again. Likeliest dangers L'Homme Presse and Corbetts Cross would both prefer stiffer tests of stamina but the former filled the runners-up berth 12 months ago and may do so again.