14:05 Ascot

Friday 18 November 2022

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Royal Ascot Racing Club Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 17.5s

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Selected odds by:

Espoir De Guye²¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 147| CD

11/1

Returned in style with ready win in 3-runner handicap chase at Warwick (20f) in February. Well held both starts since but first-time out may be the time to catch him (won this 2 years ago on return).

Form: 842/16P-

Do Your Job^t²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: M Scudamore| OR: 145| BF| DWS

7/2

Took form to a new level over fences last season, his jumping faultless as he landed Grade 2 Future Champions' at Ayr in April. Bad mistake 4 out returning from 7 months off in Old Roan at Aintree last month. Has had wind op and worth another chance.

Form: F2211-6

Tamaroc Du Mathan^p1,t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 142| D

12/1

Useful chaser on his day and jumped fluently when scoring at Plumpton in May. However, well held on return and hard to predict overall. Headgear on.

Form: P52P-1P

Janika^p1,t²²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141WS

11/1

Hard to win with nowadays but mark has never been lower for this yard. Change of headgear/has had wind op.

Form: 50/67P7-

Elixir De Nutz^t²²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 139

22/1

Smart hurdler who dominated small-field novice/handicap chase contests early this year, latterly at Kempton (18f) in February. However, never figured at the Cheltenham/Aintree Festivals last 2 starts and needed comeback last season.

Form: 4211PP-

Flegmatik^t²⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| D

20/1

Confirmed previous promise when taking 3m handicap at Kempton in February and defied 7 lb rise in impressive fashion back there later that month. Stamina possibly stretched in bet365 Gold Cup final start.

Form: 5/4311P-

Revels Hill²⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: K Brogan| T: H Fry| OR: 137| D

11/1

Improved when winning handicap chases at Taunton last 2 starts, scoring in the style of a stayer worth very much keeping on side. Off 8 months. Back down in trip. One to keep on side this season.

Form: 1/42U11-

Bothwell Bridge²³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| BF

7/1

Low-mileage 7-y-o who impressed when winning on chase debut in novice handicap at Sandown (20f) on return last season. Failed to complete next 3 starts, however, so something to prove on comeback.

Form: 1P/1FPP-

Zhiguli²⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 133| D

16/1

Improved over fences last season, winning twice at Lingfield. Not is same form at Kempton final start but better than that.

Form: 7/14419-

Belargus²⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: N J Gifford| OR: 132| C

14/1

Dual chase winner but seen just 3 times last season, falling first in the Paddy Power Gold Cup before well held next 2 starts. Hard to warm to.

Form: 1F1/F40-

High Up In The Air³²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: G & J Moore| OR: 126| D

80/1

Progressed in leaps and bounds over fences in 2020/21, completing 5-timer at Fontwell (19.5f). However, well held sole start last season so bit to prove.

Form: 11114/P-

Your Darling²³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 123

10/3

Bumper/hurdles winner who made an impressive start over fences at Huntingdon on return last season. However, his weak-finishing tendencies have subsequently blighted him. Off 7 months.

Form: 1153P4-

Foxboro^p²⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Bryan Carver| T: R Walford| OR: 121

10/1

Finally got off the mark over fences in 6-runner handicap chase (5/2) at Sandown (20f, soft) in March, showing improvement in the process. Respected on return.

Form: 423221-

Forecasts

Your Darling (10/3), Do Your Job (7/2), Bothwell Bridge (7/1), Foxboro (10/1), Revels Hill (11/1), Janika (11/1), Espoir De Guye (11/1), Tamaroc Du Mathan (12/1), Belargus (14/1), Zhiguli (16/1), Flegmatik (20/1), Elixir De Nutz (22/1), High Up In The Air (80/1)

DO YOUR JOB was let down by an uncharacteristic error just as the race was taking shape on his comeback in the Old Roan at Aintree but is well worth another chance with his sights lowered. Revels Hill is a chaser to keep on the right side of given how he ended last season and is another to consider, along with Espoir de Guye, who has won on his reappearance for the last 2 seasons, including this race 2 years ago.