Ascot Saturday

13:50 Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 7f 180y

On the figures, the Reynoldstown is a very competitive race, but I rate the form of the Altcar Novices’ Chase won by Sam Brown highly, and I think he can shrug off his penalty for that Grade 2 success.

Sam Brown was absolutely top class as a bumper horse, beating Lalor on his debut at Wincanton and then giving weight and a thrashing to the likes of Chef Des Obeaux and Talkischeap at Newbury. His only disappointment to date came on his hurdles debut on good ground, and it seems that he needs soft ground to show his form.

He was off for some time before making his chase debut last month, but was deeply impressive when winning at Lingfield over three miles. Turned out quickly in a Grade 2 at Haydock last time, he could have been forgiven for recoiling a little from his comeback run, but instead he progressed again, winning despite the trip by 15 lengths from Knight In Dubai after the beaten Windsor Avenue had fallen at the last.

He will appreciate the return to this trip, and the form of that race looks very good, a timefigure suggesting the ground was either not as soft as the official description, or the winner is very much out of the ordinary, and possibly both.

14:25 Keltbray Swinley Chase (Limited Handicap) (Listed) 2m 7f 180y

Two of these interest me, and while I’m keen to give Red Indian another chance after he failed to stay in the Peter Marsh last time, I still wonder whether this trip on heavy ground and with the wind exacerbating the test will be a bit too much for him as well.

Kelly Morgan’s charge is clearly well treated based on how he travelled last time, but his best form has come when facing a slightly lesser test of stamina, and he is a horse who would be right at the top of my list for the Topham Chase at Aintree in April. I have an inkling that connections may go there with him, and I have mixed feelings about him here as a result.

With that in mind, and having tipped him here last time, I have to row in again with Domaine De Lisle, who has gone up 6lb for winning over 2m5f here last time, but is getting better with every start for Sean Curran, and is already proven at the trip.

He took every yard of the trip to get on top of Benny’s King last time, and I can only see the return to the extended two-mile seven trip helping him here.

3:00 Give the Gift of Ascot Annual Membership Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f 58y

Again I find myself interested in two horses for different reasons. The Triumph Hurdle is currently a difficult race to unravel, but one horse who has form behind both of the big British-trained fancies is Nordano, and his ability to be competitive in a handicap against older rivals will help get an insight on the strength of the horses who have beaten him.

He’s on a fair mark on paper, so I’ll be watching him closely. Another who is on a fair mark is Prudhomme, and the Nick Williams runner is having his second start after a breathing operation.

A useful sort in bumpers, he’s from a yard whose young horses tend to progress well, and whose stable is in fine form. Williams has had a handful of runners on the last few weekends, but has scored televised wins with both Sir Galahad at Cheltenham and One For The Team at Newbury.

Add to that places for the exposed pair Agrapart and Le Rocher at Sandown a fortnight ago, and it’s clear the man they dub the ‘Genius of George Nympton’ is very much on top of things.

Prudhomme shaped very well for a long way in a competitive handicap at Taunton last time, and the addition of a tongue tie should help now. It’s possible that his wind op has not worked sufficiently well, but horses are always best judged on their second outing after a procedure, while the tongue tie is another possible catalyst for improvement.

3:35 Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) 2m 5f 8y

No bet in the Ascot Chase, but it will be a disappointment if Cyrname cannot bounce back from his defeat in the King George. Some have pointed out that he would have run below par even before stamina was fully tested at Kempton, but I prefer to think that the tactics of trying to hold on to him in the first half of the race are simply anathema to him, and that’s why he didn’t spark.

Riders On the Storm is progressive since joining Nigel Twiston-Davies, but while he was impressive last time, he will find a back-to-form Cyrname an entirely different kettle of fish to On The Blind Side.

Haydock Saturday

2:05 Unibet Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m 58y

There are reasons to be against the market leaders here, and while small stakes are advised, the 2018 winner Donna’s Diamond might be worth backing at big odds.

He hated chasing last season, and then raced on ground too fast for him on his final start in this corresponding race. He’s at his best in the mud, has been given a Stayers’ Hurdle entry and has gone well fresh in the past. There will be worse 25/1 shots on that basis, even if there are concerns that the now 11-year-old could be on the downgrade.

3:15 Unibet Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m 4f 97y

Geronimo appeals in this test of stamina having run really well in the Peter Marsh last time. Outpaced when the leaders quickened on the final circuit, he stayed on well to be beaten just seven lengths by Vintage Clouds, and will appreciate the extra yardage.

That was probably a career best from Sandy Thomson’s son of the unfashionable Kadastrof, and he’s been dropped 1lb on the back of it. A winner over 3m3f at Ayr last January, stamina is clearly his strong suit, and Sean Quinlan is an underrated rider in events like this, and an excellent booking in the circumstances, with regular rider Ryan Mania needing to saw off at least one limb (don’t try this at home) to do the weight.

Wincanton Saturday

2:45 Betway Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) 1m 7f 65y

Song For Someone ran an absolute blinder to beat all bar Thomas Darby at Ascot last time under an aggressive ride from James Nixon, and while the jockey is unable to claim due to the conditions of this Grade 2 contest, the horse arguably arrives with the best form on offer, and is too big a price even if you consider he’s effectively running with a penalty.

Recommended

Sam Brown 1:50 Ascot – 2pts win @ 3/1 (Bet365 – 11/4 general)

Domaine De Lisle 2:25 Ascot – 2pts win @ 4/1 (Hills, 7/2 general)

Prudhomme 3:00 Ascot – 1pt win @ 11/1 (Hills, 9/1 general)

Geronimo 3:15 Haydock – 1pt e/w @ 11/1 (Ladbrokes, 10/1 general)