Ascot Saturday

1:30 Ascot Underwriting Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 2m 2f 175yds

Goshen is just about the best hurdler in the country going right-handed, and while he’s had his reputation knocked in the past, it only takes a review of the Contenders Hurdle or the Kingwell Hurdle to see that he’s a huge talent, and no longer the hard puller he once was.

I see no reason why he won’t take to fences, and although he has to concede weight to all of his rivals, none of them are in the handicap proper, and his class should see him home comfortably.

It’s worth noting that Ascot is Gary Moore’s go-to track for his best novices, and he has won this race twice in recent years, all of which adds to the appeal of Goshen here.

2:05 Bateaux London Handicap Hurdle 1m 7f 152yds

There is a case of sorts to be made for several of these, but the case remains that Anyharminasking – the only horse to have beaten Constitution Hill – remains on the right side of the handicapper having won both starts in the north since handed a very lenient opening mark.

He has gone up 23lb in the weights, but numbers are meaningless when the initial assessment is so wide of the mark, and Jonjo O’Neill’s exciting Irish point recruit has plenty more to offer, and it’s notable that he starts here in a race that O’Neill won last year with Soaring Glory.

2:40 Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 167yds

Monsieur LeCoq was unlucky not to win this race last year, looking set for victory when Editeur Du Gite fell at the last, but idling after being left clear and caught in the dying strides by Amoola Gold, who was later disqualified due to a failed post-race test.

Monsieur LeCoq went without his customary headgear when shaping as if needing the run over hurdles at Chepstow last time and looks to have been laid out for this. He makes plenty of appeal off a 2lb lower mark than 12 months ago, and any softening of the ground would add to my confidence.

3:15 Bateaux London Gold Cup Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m 7f 180yds

Annsam was an impressive winner over course and distance last December, beating subsequent winner Phoenix Way by four and a half lengths, and he looks well treated now off just 4lb higher.

The one concern with his is that he can make the odds bad error, and a blunder at the second fence did for his chances in the Coral Trophy at Kempton next time, and he was back over hurdles subsequently, running well to be placed at Kempton before winning at Newbury on his final start.

Annsam has won two and finished second once in just three completed chase starts, and while his jumping remains a slight worry, he looked well suited by this track when winning in December, and jumped well when allowed to dominate.

He looks likely to get a good track position here, with the other likely front runners, Danny Kirwan and Poppa Poutine having less likely to bother him than appears the case at first glance.

The former tends to finish weakly at this trip when the going is soft, so may not be ridden aggressively in a big field, while Poppa Poutine is a thorough stayer who is unlikely to take the selection out of his comfort zone.

1:50 Bet365 Novices’ Hurdle 2m 3f 154yds

Autumn Return won the latter of her completed starts in points before landing her only start in bumpers for Ruth Jefferson.

The point form is nothing special, but her defeat of Magical Wave in an Ayr bumper in April came after a good struggle which showcased her good attitude, and that form was boosted when the runner-up absolutely ran away with a similar event over the same course and distance on Monday.

Autumn Return impressed with how she travelled and jumped when winning on her hurdles debut at Market Rasen, and that looked a warm contest with listed bumper winner Mullenbeg made favourite but readily held. The form is working out, and although Mullenbeg was narrowly beaten next time, the fourth home, Kingston Sunflower, was an easy winner of her next start.

She is opposed by some interesting newcomers here, but sets a decent standard and will appreciate the step up in trip, so I was surprised to see her put in as big as 5/1 initially before attracting support.

She certainly shouldn’t be bigger than Prairie Wolf or Learntalot on rules form, and the main danger is Joe Dadancer, who would have won his only point start but for falling at the last, and represents a yard which targets this race. That pair are taken to dominate.

2:25 Bet365 Mares’ Hurdle (Listed) 2m

She has a bit to find on the numbers, but fitness is an asset for Nina The Terrier, whose second-place finishes in handicaps at Newbury and Chepstow should not be underestimated.

She conceded first run to Sonigino at Chepstow, and that horse won another handicap hurdle by a wide margin there on Wednesday, suggesting the form was much stronger than considered at the time.

Her second in the EBF Mares’ Final at Newbury in the spring saw her split unexposed sorts when conceding lumps of weight to both, and merely adds to the notion that she is ahead of her mark.

She makes more appeal at the prices than Molly Olly’s Wishes, who won this race last year, but stays three miles well, and could find this test too sharp these days, especially with a confirmed front runner in See The Sea ensuring she won’t get her own way.

See The Sea would have appealed on genuinely quick ground, but she does need to hear her hooves rattle, and Wetherby seem determined to ensure there is good to soft in the going description.

On the other hand, the likeable Martello Sky wants even softer ground, and could be vulnerable first time out over a trip short of her best.

3:00 Bet365 Hurdle (Grade 2) (West Yorkshire Hurdle) 3m 26yds

I just favour Indefatigable of the market leaders here, and she warmed up with a run on the flat at Pontefract, just as she did when winning this a year ago. The concern with her is that she looked moody once or twice last season, shaping as if thinking about planting herself completely when pulled up at Newbury behind Thomas Darby on her next start.

She also capitulated tamely at Warwick in February, and although back to her best at Sandown in the spring, the feeling still lingers that she might not be as predictable as she used to be.

That is certainly true of both Sporting John and Thomas Darby, so this might be a race in which to consider an outsider.

I’m happy to take a chance on the talented but fragile Oscar Elite, who was beset by breathing/bleeding issues over fences last term, but who has since had wind surgery and might be revived as a result.

He was placed in Grade 1 novice events at Cheltenham and Aintree over this trip in the spring of 2021, and could have more to offer over timber.

He was travelling like a winner when falling heavily on his seasonal return at Cheltenham last year, and bleeders are often best caught fresh, so it’s worth taking the risk at 16/1 or thereabouts.

3:35 Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) 3m 45yds

A watching rather than betting race for me, largely as I’m a big fan of Ahoy Senor, but suspect he will be vulnerable first time up against a horse in Bravemansgame who has a tremendous record when fresh.

Hopefully this will prove a race to savour, and it doesn’t take a financial involvement to enjoy top-class chasers at full flight.

Monsieur LeCoq 2:40 Ascot - 1pt win @ 7/1 (Bet365, 13/2 general)

Annsam 3:15 Ascot - 1pt e/w @ 17/2 (Hills, 8/1 SkyBet 5 places)

Nina The Terrier 2:25 Wetherby - 2pts win @ 9/2 (Bet365, 7/2 general)

Oscar Elite 3:00 Wetherby - 1pt win @ 16/1 general)