Ascot Saturday

1:30 Ascot Underwriting

Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 2m 2f 175y

I’m willing to take one chance, and one chance only, on Jipcot, who arrived in the UK with a fair reputation after winning a listed hurdle at Pau in February.

The form of that race hasn’t really worked out and he was out of his depth in the Grade 1 company here in the spring. He was tried over fences in France, unseating on his only attempt, but largely jumped well on his first start over British fences at Carlisle recently, fading after an error three out and shaping as if in need of the run.

Ben Pauling’s charge is clearly not the star hoped for, but he should be fitted for his return, and if he’s going to justify the hype, he ought to be going close in a handicap where he gets a useful 9lb weight-for-age allowance.

That should allow him to be more competitive than he has been against the likes of Lossiemouth, and with both of his wins coming on soft ground, he should be able to do himself justice in receipt of 11lb or more from all his rivals.

2:05 Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 167y

I’ve talked about the excellent record Venetia Williams has with her handicap chasers after wind surgery, and that is amply demonstrated by Funambule Sivola, who made a winning chase debut in impressive style after wind surgery back in 2020 and while he failed to repeat the dose in last season’s reappearance, that came in the Tingle Creek, and it’s not hard to excuse his performance there having been hampered three from home.

He ran at times last year as if his wind was an issue, and it’s to be hoped that another tweak will see him back to his best, as he looks well treated on a mark of 156 based on both his win in the Game Spirit at Newbury and his second in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March 2022.

3:15 Seat Unique Handicap Hurdle 1m 7f 152y

Our Champ bolted up at Cheltenham last week, but he’s already been reassessed, and an 11lb rise combined with the quick turnaround and vastly different underfoot conditions could prove his undoing.

Preference is for Bad, who was a big gamble and shaped better than the bare result in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham in march.

He was arguably a little disappointing here on his only subsequent start last term, but his sixth behind Blueking d’Oroux has been franked by wins for all five of those in front of him subsequently, and that run is worth marking up as a result.

Connections clearly felt that he was well handicapped for the Fred Winter as they avoided running prior to the Festival, and he’s now 4lb lower after two excusable defeats.

I would not be surprised if he benefitted from a little more time to acclimatise, and his impressive win at Bordeaux last November came on heavy ground, so he has plenty to recommend him.

A winner and two placings from four runners at Cheltenham last weekend shows that Ben Pauling’s horses are largely in good order, and Bad can continue that pleasing run.

3:45 Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 7f 180y

Things did not really go to plan for Beauport after his impressive chase debut victory in the Colin Parker Memorial at Carlisle, but he largely faced stiff tasks, and gave the impression he didn’t quite stay three and a quarter miles having shown up well for a long way in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March.

Beauport still has time on his side at the age of seven having looked the sort to thrive over fences, and his best efforts have come right-handed, notably a win in the EBF Final at Sandown as a novice hurdler.

His record on soft or heavy ground away from Cheltenham is 313122112, and he has shown on several occasions that he has courage to match his ability. He starts the new season on a fair mark and is worth persevering with for a yard which tends to get its best results as this time of year.

1:15 Bet Boost At Bet365 Handicap Chase 2m 3f 85y

Eaton Collina represents a yard with an excellent strike-rate and while his last visit here ended with him unseating Richard Patrick, he was most unlucky that day, jumping impeccably and travelling easily in front until a stumble on landing at the fourth-last fence catapulted his rider out of the plate.

He won’t lack fitness for this return, and has run well both times he’s tried heavy ground, so ought to give punters a fair run for their money.

1:50 Bet365 Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) Soft 2m

There is not a great deal to choose between the market leaders on balance in this mares’ contest, but two miles on heavy ground is likely to suit Luccia ideally, and she has an excellent record fresh, so is taken to reverse Dawn Run form with You Wear It Well.

Katiera could be the best long-term prospect in the race, but she seemed to improve for a step up to two and a half-miles when placed at Aintree and it will be at that trip and beyond that she will thrive this term.

2:25 Bet365 (West Yorkshire) Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m 26y

Dashel Drasher is proven of very deep ground and is a thoroughly reliable sort who can get back on track here.

Thyme Hill is an interesting challenger back over hurdles, and he does look a better horse over timber, but even though the Hobbs/White stable is back in much better form of late, the balance of his form in the last season or so suggests he shouldn’t be favourite against Jeremy Scott’s admirable 10-year-old.

3:00 Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) 3m 45y

This was billed as a match last year between Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor, but the latter failed to fire and is not easy to fancy again given his tendency to improve in the spring.

That may leave the way clear for Bravemansgame to score again, but he wasn’t wildly impressive 12 months ago and will again be trained to peak for the King George, and that may give Gentlemansgame an opportunity.

The selection has fitness on his side having shaped well when a length and a half second of six to Easy Game in the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran on his return.

He lacks chasing experience, but that is only a minor concern in such a small field, and his ability to handle heavy ground will be an advantage.

Funambule Sivola 2:05 Ascot – 2pts win @ 15/2 (general)

Bad 3:15 Ascot – 1pt win @ 8/1 (Bet365, 9/1 general)

Beauport 3:45 Ascot – 1pt win @ 5/1 (general)

Gentlemansgame 3:00 Wetherby – 1pt win @ 4/1 (general)