13:50 Ascot

Saturday 19 December 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

'For The Love Of Racing' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 1.05s

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Selected odds by:

Mengli Khan¹⁰⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| D

7/1

Smart chaser who signed off for Gordon Elliott by landing a 5-runner minor event at Ballinrobe 104 days ago. Has since moved to another top yard, so one to note back in handicaps.

Form: 33-1641

Bennys King⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 147| BF| D

13/2

Big step forward when landing a Newbury handicap last season and bettered that form when second at this track in January. Respectable reappearance should put him spot on, but stiffer test would suit.

Form: 1/6152-5

Saint Sonnet^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 146| D

9/2

Ex-French recruit who signed off with good seventh in Marsh Chase at Chetlenham last season. Excuses on both outings this term and remains with potential.

Form: 6317-FP

Theo^h²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 142| D

40/1

Useful chaser who looked as good as ever when making a winning return with something to spare (idled) in a veterans' handicap at Leicester recently. This looks much tougher, though.

Form: 2249P-1

Not Another Muddle²⁸²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 138| D

20/1

Had a good 2019 but was pulled up in the Plate at Cheltenham on his sole outing last term, so returns from another 9 months off with something to prove.

Form: 13152/P-

Saint De Vassy²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: David Bass| T: T Symonds| OR: 133

9/2

Unexposed as a chaser and returned with an authoritative display to make all in a handicap at Exeter 27 days ago. Up 10 lb but could defy it if in the same form.

Form: 2/3P2P-1

Drumcliff^p,t²⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 130| CD

8/1

Third on 2 of his last 3 outings, including at this course (21f) last time, though he's not the most consistent and his current mark seems about right.

Form: 9-07363

Smarty Wild²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130| BF| D

8/1

Good hurdles strike rate and positives to glean from both outings over fences, shaping well despite mistakes when fourth in handicap at Wetherby last time. Well treated if he can brush up his jumping.

Form: 1446-34

Kapgarry²⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| D

40/1

Form: 316871-

Early Du Lemo¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 125

15/2

French hurdles winner who opened chase account at Lingfield in January 2019. Proved he retains ability (sole start since) when second in Sandown handicap 15 days ago, and may well come on for that.

Form: 0U2U1/2

Enrichissant^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 125

15/2

Off the mark at the third attempt over fences last season and at least respectable efforts this term, third under an aggressive ride at Doncaster 3 weeks ago. Not discounted.

Form: 721-243

Gardefort⁵⁸⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 124

33/1

Lightly raced and patchy form in recent years but fresh might be the best time to catch him and he's been given a chance by the handicapper ahead of this return from 19 months off.

Form: 0PUP2/P-

Forecasts

Saint Sonnet (9/2), Saint De Vassy (9/2), Bennys King (13/2), Mengli Khan (7/1), Enrichissant (15/2), Early Du Lemo (15/2), Smarty Wild (8/1), Drumcliff (8/1), Not Another Muddle (20/1), Gardefort (33/1), Theo (40/1), Kapgarry (40/1)

An open handicap chase that could go the way of EARLY DU LEMO, who still looked well handicapped when a smooth-travelling second back from a long absence at Sandown recently. Ready Exeter scorer Saint de Vassy is also a big player and Mengli Khan appeals as a fascinating recruit for the Nicky Henderson stable.