November 18 / 14.05 Ascot

14.05

Good To Soft

Royal Ascot Racing Club Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £18210.5
  • 2m 5f 8y
  • Class 2
  • 13 runners
SKY
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Royal Ascot Racing Club Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 13 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.34
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 153P4-

Last run: 231 days

W: 10st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
He has an in-and-out profile but showed promise during last season's novice campaign and was a fair fourth at Newbury in April last time out; returns with stable going well and this lightly raced 7yo is a possible improver.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

2nd May 2026

Yielding

3m 0f 104y

15:45 Punchestown

Your Darling

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Most of five chase wins have come on decent ground, including last time when taking 3m Ludlow handicap (just 2 finishers) having been dropped in grade following some good runs in better-class handicaps; seems suited by going right-handed; respected.

12/1

1st

1

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

Your Darling

11st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Showed he stays 3m when only just missing out at Kempton in January (good) where he would probably have won but for fluffing the last fence; another good effort at Ascot (3m) since, when coming from a long way off the pace to take third; strong contender off his competitive mark.

15/8

3rd

3

14th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Your Darling

10st 13lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Record of 2-3 over 2m5f at Ascot, all in the same November race; showed he stays 3m, at least under sharp conditions, at Kempton (good) most recently; this is a stiffer test at the trip.

8/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 42U11- D

Last run: 249 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Progressive during last season's novice campaign, which concluded with two wins in a row at Taunton (2m7f/3m4f, good to soft/soft); returns with his stable going well and this lightly raced 7yo could have more to offer, but it remains to be seen how he'll cope with the drop back in distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

17th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 54y

Class 5

17:13 Exeter

Revels Hill

11st 12lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mrs J Boucher

Useful handicap chaser in his prime but very lightly raced in recent years; remote when third of seven at Taunton (2m7f, heavy; behind Haven't Time) last month and current ability remains tricky to gauge but he ought to be better suited by the less testing ground here and might be boosted by the refitted cheekpieces.

20/1

3rd

6

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

16:00 Taunton

Revels Hill

11st 12lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mrs J Boucher

Ran really well in defeat in some tough handicap chases in 2022-23 season and a good case can be made on that form; however, this 11yo has raced just three times since and is hard to fancy on that more recent evidence.

12/1

4th

7

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

19:35 Chepstow

Revels Hill

11st 12lb

J: Mr Darren Andrews

T: Mrs J Boucher

Only a second outing since his bet365 Gold Cup third of two years ago when fourth in a 3m4f Cothelstone mixed open last month (good; no extra 2 out); couldn't insist his present rating is still warranted on that evidence but some ability clearly remains, and he won't mind any cut.

5/2

9/1

  • Place: £4.60

Form: 4311P- D

Last run: 209 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Well-beaten fourth of eight in this last year but had a wind op subsequently and won twice at Kempton (3m/2m4f, good/good to soft) in February; failed to stay 3m5f at Sandown next time; not ruled out now back down in trip on his reappearance; has run well on soft/heavy in the past.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

2nd

1

1st Apr 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Kempton

Flegmatik

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Three-time course winner (2m4f-3m); not quite at best this season but handicapped according, and went down fighting when a clear second here (2m4f, good) last month; likely contender.

9/4

Form: /67P7- D

Last run: 224 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
This 9yo is not the force of old and his form has been very patchy in the last two seasons; however, he continues to drop down the weights and showed signs of spark in the Topham at Aintree in April, when possibly doing too much too soon; has had a third wind operation since and first-time cheekpieces replace the blinkers adopted last time; not discounted on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

16:50 Fakenham

Janika

12st 2lb

J: Miss Charlotte Butler

T: E Turner

Safe as houses (never fallen or unseated) and 2-3 C&D record includes this race last year (good to soft); obvious claims again following a fine return at Higham last month, but won't want a total dryout.

5/4

Form: 2211-6 D BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Won his final two starts last season (2m4f, good to soft), a Grade 2 novice chase at Ayr on the second occasion; soundly beaten in the Old Roan Chase on his reappearance but has had wind surgery since and could bounce back; his wins have come on good to soft and slower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

5th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:00 Uttoxeter

Do Your Job

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Made all for clearcut success at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in March but beaten fair and square the last twice; he's not as good as he was and now struggles for consistency.

12/1

4

5th Jun 2025

Good

2m 4f 189y

Class 4

16:00 Uttoxeter

Do Your Job

11st 10lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Made all for clearcut success at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in March but beaten fair and square the last twice; he's not as good as he was and now struggles for consistency.

12/1

3rd

2

9th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 194y

Class 4

18:40 Hereford

Do Your Job

11st 12lb

J: Lilly Pinchin

T: Charlie Longsdon

Exploited some considerable help from the handicapper when making all for clearcut success at Wetherby (2m3f, good) in March but was safely held on his latest outing and is nothing like the force of old.

5/1

Form: 1/F40- C

Last run: 248 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Course hurdles winner who scored twice over fences in the first part of 2021 (1m7f/2m4f, heavy/good) and is on a competitive mark on that form; he's still only seven and had a light campaign last season, but his jumping was an issue on both chase starts last term and there are risks attached.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

1st Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:35 Fakenham

Belargus

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Runner-up off a reduced mark at Huntingdon (2m7f, good; first-time blinkers) last April and didn't run badly at Stratford (2m5f, heavy; no blinkers) on next start in October; now back from another absence and he's not as good as he was.

7/1

3rd

4

1st Jun 2025

Good

2m 5f 44y

Class 3

16:35 Fakenham

Belargus

11st 4lb

J: James Davies

T: Nick Gifford

Runner-up off a reduced mark at Huntingdon (2m7f, good; first-time blinkers) last April and didn't run badly at Stratford (2m5f, heavy; no blinkers) on next start in October; now back from another absence and he's not as good as he was.

7/1

Form: 52P-1P D

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Has a patchy profile nowadays and jumped poorly when pulled up at Market Rasen last month following a break; however, perhaps the first-time cheekpieces will help with his jumping and he won at handicap at Plumpton in May on his penultimate outing; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 2

14:05 Ascot

Tamaroc Du Mathan

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Has a patchy profile nowadays and jumped poorly when pulled up at Market Rasen last month following a break; however, perhaps the first-time cheekpieces will help with his jumping and he won at handicap at Plumpton in May on his penultimate outing; not written off.

10/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2/16P- CD

Last run: 219 days

W: 12st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Well beaten/pulled up on final two starts last season but he has an excellent reappearance record, including a win in this race two years ago (soft); could have a big say if conditions suit (best form on soft/heavy).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

3rd May 2024

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Espoir De Guye

12st 1lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Mrs N Sheppard

midfield, weakened after 12th, left in modest fourth before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

6/1

2

3rd May 2024

Good

2m 4f 127y

Class 5

20:05 Cheltenham

Espoir De Guye

12st 1lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Mrs N Sheppard

Struggled in Aintree Foxhunters' three weeks ago and is not one to rely upon heavily but his win at Wincanton (2m4f, soft) for Sam Loxton in February makes him of strong interest on this stable debut.

6/1

7

11th Apr 2024

Heavy

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Espoir De Guye

12st 0lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: S Loxton

Nothing like as good he was when at his peak for Venetia Williams and had luck on his side when beating last year's winner of this race at Wincanton in February (2m4f, soft); now has to bounce back from a shock defeat at Ludlow at the hands of Captain Tommy.

25/1

Form: 211PP-

Last run: 225 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row early this year (2m3f/2m2f) and may have benefited from a break, having been pulled up in hot handicaps at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals on his final two starts last season; however, all of his British wins have come in very small fields and he's untested at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Elixir De Nutz

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

10yo who has been better than ever this season; soft ground was against him in the Champion Chase and prior to that he beat Jonbon by a neck to win the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft); however, the runner-up was well below his best; others make greater appeal.

50/1

5

27th Apr 2024

Good

1m 7f 99y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Elixir De Nutz

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

10yo who has been better than ever this season; soft ground was against him in the Champion Chase and prior to that he beat Jonbon by a neck to win the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft); however, the runner-up was well below his best; others make greater appeal.

50/1

5

13th Mar 2024

Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

15:30 Cheltenham

Elixir De Nutz

11st 10lb

J: Freddie Gingell

T: Joe Tizzard

Often a front-runner; has won on soft but seems ideally suited by good/good to soft; rallied gamely to beat odds-on Jonbon in the rescheduled Clarence House here in January, making it three wins from his last four starts; however, looks far from sure to confirm placings with that otherwise superior rival who blew his chance with a dodgy round of jumping; in great form this term but needs better still to land a Champion Chase.

25/1

12/1

Form: 23221- D

Last run: 251 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Consistent over fences last season (on soft/good to soft) and deservedly got off the mark in chases at Sandown (2m4f) in March when last seen; however, he needs something extra to defy a 4lb rise in this hotter race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

23rd Feb 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:40 Hereford

Foxboro

11st 9lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

Four-time chase winner for Robert Walford (2m4f-3m6f, good-soft) but out of form for new stable this season (three runs); very well handicapped now but needs to be perked up by a change of headgear here.

20/1

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Foxboro

10st 8lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

20l win off 4lb higher for Robert Walford at Exeter (3m6f, soft; below form on heavy) in December 2023; not nearly so good since, last twice for new yard.

25/1

11

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

14:45 Lingfield

Foxboro

10st 8lb

J: Miss Brodie Hampson

T: Archie Watson

20l win off 4lb higher for Robert Walford at Exeter (3m6f, soft; below form on heavy) in December 2023; not nearly so good since, last twice for new yard.

25/1

Form: /1FPP- D BF

Last run: 236 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Pulled up when favourite on final two starts last season; however, this lightly raced 7yo is 3-3 when returning from breaks of 93 days or greater so is worth a second look on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

6

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Bothwell Bridge

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: Kelly Morgan

Winning chaser for Nicky Henderson; remains a capable pointer but at these weights he's held by Bennys King and Autonomous Cloud on their Leicester clash in February.

100/1

6

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Bothwell Bridge

12st 0lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: Kelly Morgan

Winning chaser for Nicky Henderson; remains a capable pointer but at these weights he's held by Bennys King and Autonomous Cloud on their Leicester clash in February.

100/1

3rd

7

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:45 Leicester

Bothwell Bridge

11st 12lb

J: Miss Ellie Callwood

T: Kelly Morgan

Useful handicapper in his prime and collected three points for new stable last season; returned from layoff with very respectable second of three in a point this month but faces a tough assignment here and would probably prefer better ground.

33/1

Form: 14419- D

Last run: 265 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Down the field at Kempton (3m, good to soft) in February when last seen; however, he impressed when posting two wins at Lingfield (2m7f/2m4f, soft/heavy) last season and this unexposed 7yo could have a part to play if conditions are testing on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

4th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

16:10 Catterick

Zhiguli

11st 12lb

J: Mr Thomas Easterby

T: Mrs C A Coward

One-timer useful hurdler/chaser for Gary Moore; not quite the force of old, but won two small-field points on good ground last year; creditable third in a point last time; each-way chance.

11/4

4th

2

17th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:37 Haydock

Zhiguli

11st 8lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary Moore

Soundly beaten in a match at Fontwell (2m5f, heavy) last time but he bumped into a rejuvenated rival, who has followed up, and he's now dropped below his last winning mark; the testing conditions are right up his street and he's one to consider in first-time cheekpieces.

11/4

Form: 114/P- D

Last run: 321 days

W: 10st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Landed a five-timer in 2020-21 (2m-2m3f, soft/heavy) but was tailed off on his final outing that season and was pulled up on his sole start since at Cheltenham this January; returns with plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

6th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 5

16:45 Catterick

High Up In The Air

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Power

T: T W Fife

Posted handicap chase five-timer in 2020-21 but has shown very little since and a dramatic turnaround is needed.

33/1

0

5

1st Jan 2024

Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 5

13:20 Catterick

High Up In The Air

11st 9lb

J: Joe Williamson

T: Philip Kirby

Got up to a rating of 126 after winning four handicap chases on the bounce at up to 2m3f (all on soft or heavy) for Gary Moore two seasons ago; has been rather disappointing since but reverts to hurdles on a very good mark.

9/1

0

1

26th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 65y

Class 4

14:35 Sedgefield

High Up In The Air

11st 10lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Philip Kirby

didn't always jump with fluency, 6 lengths down and pushed along when stumbled badly and unseated 4 out

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £38.00
Straight Forecast £40.40
Tricast £657.09
Trifecta £714.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Do Your Job

Daily Mirror:

Revels Hill

TOPSPEED:

Your Darling

Daily Mail:

Espoir De Guye

LAMBOURN:

Bothwell Bridge

POSTDATA:

Janika

The Star:

Revels Hill

D Express:

Your Darling

RP Ratings:

Do Your Job

The Times:

Do Your Job

Telegraph:

Do Your Job

The Guardian:

Do Your Job

Daily Record:

Do Your Job

The Sun:

Espoir De Guye