14:40 Ascot

Friday 23 November 2018

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Waitrose & Partners Handicap Chase

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 12.3s

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Selected odds by:

Royal Regatta^b,t³⁶³

4/1

Dual C&D winner including 2016 Grade Two. Pulled up in final start of 2016/17 campaign and both starts last Autumn. Lengthy absence since and had wind-op but would have to be considered a risky proposition now.

Form: 1P3P/PP-

Cobra De Mai^p,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: William Marshall⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 143

13/2

Narrow win at Stratford latest was his fifth over fences. Upped another 5lb to a career high mark now which is fully justified given progressive nature but tall order now up in class as well.

Form: 122-491

Flying Angel^v1²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 142

5/1

Grade One winning novice was unsuccessful in five starts last term and well beaten on return in hot Aintree handicap where he finished sixth of eight. Handicaps may suit better now and visor added in attempt to revive fortunes.

Form: 54380-6

Value At Risk^b²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| D

9/1

Arguably better over hurdles although has won twice over fences with the most recent at Ayr to end last season. Last of eight on return at Aintree (Flying Angel sixth) gives him plenty to find now although this a bit easier.

Form: 71651-8

Casse Tete²²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 138| D

11/1

Winner at Warwick last term subsequently found revised mark beyond him in hot Cheltenham and Aintree festival handicaps. Same mark to start this campaign so a few question marks but this certainly easier.

Form: 1/77189-

Ridgeway Flyer^h,t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137

7/1

Won first two chases before coming unstuck when tailed off at Newbury. Subsequently off the track for 331 days before a good second over 3m2½f at Wincanton. Drop back in trip may suit and could prove well handicapped now.

Form: 11/118-2

More Buck's^t¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 137| D

14/1

Reinvigorated by switch to this yard as he won at Market Rasen and Perth in the summer over fences before pulled up over hurdles last time on unsuitable heavy ground. Return to fences and faster ground in his favour but career high mark to overcome.

Form: 77-211P

Mr Medic³³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 134| C

20/1

Won four of seven starts over fences including over 2m3f here when last seen back in December. Likely had issues considering early curtailing to season so that a concern but had been progressing nicely so not ruled out.

Form: 1U/6131-

Royal Village^p³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| OR: 134| D

11/2

Took his record to two from five over fences last time as he impressively won a valuable Market Rasen handicap despite idling in front. 5lb rise for that seems lenient so has leading claims once again here with few rivals in form.

Form: 413341

Dream Bolt¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: T Scudamore| T: D A Rees| OR: 124| D

14/1

Third albeit beaten 12½L by Cobra De Mai at Stratford penultimately before filling same slot next at Newbury. Only 3lb better off with Stratford conqueror so looks up against it here.

Form: 2-72433

Forecasts

Royal Regatta (4/1), Flying Angel (5/1), Royal Village (11/2), Cobra De Mai (13/2), Ridgeway Flyer (7/1), Value At Risk (9/1), Casse Tete (11/1), Dream Bolt (14/1), More Buck's (14/1), Mr Medic (20/1)

ROYAL VILLAGE is still relatively unexposed over fences but based on his win at Market Rasen last time out he seems to be on the up and can take a contest where most rivals have a question mark or two. Ridgeway Flyer is another interesting sort and Paul Nicholls' runner showed he is back fit and well latest after presumably picking up an issue the time before. Flying Angel has been disappointing since exiting novice chases but at his best would take plenty of beating off this mark and a first-time visor offers hope.