14:33 Ascot

Saturday 31 October 2026

All12:5013:2514:0014:3315:1015:4316:15

Sodexo Live! Regal Encore Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:33 | Winning time: 5m 57.10s

Your Darling¹⁸²

Age: 11| Weight: 12-0| J: Callum Pritchard| T: B Pauling| OR: 144| C| D

16/1

Veteran course winner who is a risky betting proposition but capitalised on ease in grade when successful at Ludlow (3m) in March. Struggled in listed company at Punchestown final start in May and whilst yet to defy a mark this high, he's often reserved his best for this venue.

Form: 1/4231P-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Viroflay¹⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Lucas Murphy⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| D

3/1

Jumped well and proved game when scoring at Kempton (3m) in December. Didn't jump with his usual fluency over the different fences in the Topham but he completed a simple task at Newton Abbot in May. Likely to face competition up front but promising rider looks good value for his claim.

Form: 22120-1

Henry's Friend^p¹⁸⁹

7/1

Blows hot and cold but his 2 biggest wins have come over C&D including this race from 1 lb higher 12 months ago. Best effort after came when sixth in Silver Cup here and whilst disappointing on final 2 starts, he's likely been well prepared in bid to land this again following breathing operation.

Form: 8/1869P-

Califet En Vol¹⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 139

5/2

Often strong in betting and he became another winner to emerge from traditionally strong Cheltenham handicap when opening chase account at Kempton (20.5f) in February. Not in same form either start thereafter for all soft ground possibly against him latterly. Claims if proving stamina for this far.

Form: 235147-

Somespring Special^t¹⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Godfrey| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| DWS

40/1

8-y-o mare who boasts a good strike rate who registered back-to-back victories at Newton Abbot/Bangor (at up to 3m) in May. Severe mid-race error did her no favours at Perth when last seen in June but her career-high mark demands more after 5 months off in this environment. Had breathing operation.

Form: 153-117

Transmission^b1¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 133

25/1

Back to form with a bang during the spring, winning Edinburgh National at Musselburgh and solid efforts in Sussex National/Bet365 Gold Cup. Entitled to come on plenty for his hurdles reappearance earlier this month and whilst he's on a competitive mark, this trip could be on sharp side. Blinkers on.

Form: 88137-5

Queensbury Boy^p,t¹⁰⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Bowen| OR: 131| D

17/2

Walked over for first chase success at Hereford in May. Followed that with a good second at Uttoxeter later that month and landed biggest prize to date with cheekpieces added when taking Summer Plate at Market Rasen (21f) in July. Remains unexposed at 3m.

Form: 26-1281

Neon Moon^b,t²¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 128| C| D

12/1

Posted a good fifth on return from 6 months off in this race last season before enhancing his already good strike rate over 21f here later in November. However, he ended last season with a couple of low-key efforts in veterans company and he can often flatter to deceive under pressure.

Form: 514F50-

Tapley^t¹²^{(ex 5)}

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: Jamie & Josh Moore| OR: 123

11/2

Good strike rate for Suzy Smith and fine start for new yard, successful at Fontwell (19.5f) prior to raising his game a bit more in line with rise in class when scoring at Plumpton (2½m, good) 12 days ago. Return to further unlikely to pose an issue and possibilities under 5-lb penalty.

Form: 313-411

Imperial Alex^v1⁹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 126| D

33/1

Likeable sort who was thriving earlier this year, bagging extended 27f handicap chase at Stratford prior to following up gamely in Summer Cup at Uttoxeter (3m) in June. However, below best from career-high mark over same C&D in July and he resumes with his yard yet to get going this autumn. Visored.

Form: 75-2115

Forecasts

Califet En Vol (5/2), Viroflay (3/1), Tapley (11/2), Henry's Friend (7/1), Queensbury Boy (17/2), Neon Moon (12/1), Your Darling (16/1), Transmission (25/1), Imperial Alex (33/1), Somespring Special (40/1)

An open-looking renewal in which it could pay to side with the hat-trick seeking TAPLEY. He's thrived upon joining the Moore stable under this rider in recent weeks and with the return to further unlikely to be an issue, particularly on a right-handed track, he could well put his fitness edge over the majority to very good use. Califet en Vol, Viroflay and last year's winner Henry's Friend head the dangers, with Transmission also worth a look in a change of headgear.