14:00 Ascot

Friday 24 November 2023

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

S.A.F.E. Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 15.89s

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Selected odds by:

Fidelio Vallis¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Derham| OR: 141| BF

7/1

Useful for Paul Nicholls in 2021 and made a good start for his new stable after 14-month absence when runner-up at Musselburgh (15.8f) in February. After another 9 months off, again finished second at the same C&D 16 days ago, so he can build on his recent run to go one better.

Form: 1244/2-2

Mackenberg³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 139| D

22/1

Won his first 5 chase starts before finding it tougher upped in grade this year. However, after 5 months off he ran creditably when only narrowly denied at Wetherby (19.4f) last month, so he could go well from 1 lb below his last winning mark.

Form: 533P-62

Flegmatik^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 138| D

10/1

Ran well when third in this race last year and bounced back from a couple of lesser efforts when close second at Kempton (3m) in February. After 6 months off (had another wind op), was in the process of running respectably when unseating here 20 day ago, Shortlisted.

Form: 30926-U

Neon Moon^b,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 129| D

5/1

Strong-traveller who returned better than ever to open his account over fences in handicap at Ludlow (23.8f) in October, scoring easily. Shaped as if still in good form when fourth at Newbury 15 days ago, though will need to find more from his current mark.

Form: 223P-14

Your Darling¹¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 128| CD

11/4

Has an excellent record fresh and won this race in good style last year. Creditable fifth at Kempton next time, before run of good form halted at Cheltenham in January. However, after 6 months off he shaped better than the result at Galway in August, so he's not discounted.

Form: P4/15P-9

Zhiguli²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 127| D

11/1

Returned to winning ways at Sandown (20f) in March and had excuses for his remaining 2 starts of the season. After 7 months off, not discredited when fourth at this course (23.8f) 20 days ago, so he could take a step forward with his reappearance behind him.

Form: 3513P-4

Copperhead^p,t1³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 120| C

9/2

Not the force of old but there were better signs on his first 2 starts of the current campaign, finishing runner-up after 5 months off at Fontwell (21.6f) in October. Found it tougher in a more competitive contest at Exeter last time, though. Tongue strap now applied.

Form: 656-226

Fire Dancer²⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 118WS

18/5

Fair hurdler/chaser in France for Guillaume Macaire and made a winning start for this yard on the back of a lengthy absence in Ludlow handicap chase (20f) in January. Failed to complete in 2 subsequent starts last season but returns with his yard going well. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 932/1PF-

Non-Runners

Risk And Roll¹³

Weight: 10-13| Age: 9

T: H J Evans J: Tabitha Worsley

Forecasts

Your Darling (11/4), Fire Dancer (18/5), Copperhead (9/2), Neon Moon (5/1), Fidelio Vallis (7/1), Flegmatik (10/1), Zhiguli (11/1), Risk And Roll (20/1), Mackenberg (22/1)

FIDELIO VALLIS has shaped as if as good as ever on his 2 starts since joining Harry Derham, again finishing runner-up at Musselburgh on his reappearance, so he is taken to get back to winning ways with his recent run behind him. Heading the list of dangers is Fire Dancer who returns with his yard in excellent form, while Flegmatik is another who merits consideration.