April 02 / 15.35 Ascot

15.35

Good To Soft

LK Bennett Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £21124
  • 2m 0f 167y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
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LK Bennett Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

16/1 (Won)

  • Win: £10.00
  • Place: £3.00

Form: 2-11PP D

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who won three times last year (2m2f/2m3f; good/good to soft); today's drop back in trip from 3m may be a positive but he nevertheless has plenty to prove having been pulled up the last twice.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

11th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:45 Plumpton

Black Gerry

11st 6lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary & Josh Moore

His second over 2m4f (good) here 13 months ago reads well but he's become a hard horse to predict and previous ventures over 3m+ have amounted to little.

8/1

3rd

2

11th May 2025

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 4

16:45 Plumpton

Black Gerry

11st 6lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary & Josh Moore

His second over 2m4f (good) here 13 months ago reads well but he's become a hard horse to predict and previous ventures over 3m+ have amounted to little.

8/1

8th

10

22nd Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Black Gerry

10st 6lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last ran off this low a mark in spring 2022; Plumpton second (2m4f, good) last April reads well but he has been well beaten more often than not over the last two seasons.

12/1

15/8

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 165-11 D

Last run: 128 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Won on chase debut at Kempton (2m2f, good to soft) last November and followed up at Newbury (2m, good) later that month; the form of both races has worked out well and he could still be well treated, now 8lb higher than last time; won on soft over hurdles; strong claims on return from break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 219y

Class 4

18:39 Plumpton

Frere DArmes

11st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Has been well out of form since returning in September from a break and has offered little switched to hunter chases this year; now back in handicap company for his leading stable and down to a potentially workable mark, but recent efforts temper enthusiasm.

2/1

4th

1

19th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 11y

Class 4

16:50 Ludlow

Frere DArmes

12st 6lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

Odds-on third in this race last year before comfortably making all in Stratford hunter chase (2m1f, good) in May; hasn't got near the latter form in eight starts since September however and latest pulled up, despite attracting some support, was a third non completion in a row; others look safer.

7/2

1

13th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

15:25 Fakenham

Frere DArmes

12st 6lb

J: Mr Dominic Lewis

T: Dan Skelton

He was in better form when runner-up in this last year having won his previous race; very disappointing when pulled up back here just before Christmas and then unseated at Ludlow when 33-1; hard to trust right now.

11/2

20/1

  • Place: £5.90

Form: UF-PPF D

Last run: 103 days

W: 11st 1lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
In contention when falling two out at Ayr (2m, good to soft) last April and is now 15lb lower; however, he's struggled in three starts this season and hopes are pinned on a wind op prompting a dramatic return to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

3

13th Nov 2023

Good

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

14:25 Kempton

Hatcher

11st 6lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Prolific winner (mostly at around 2m on good ground) and fine servant to connections over the years; not as good as he was and didn't run very well on latest outing in September, but should be fine over today's trip and his spring form puts him in the mix.

4/1

4th

4

18th Sep 2023

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Worcester

Hatcher

10st 11lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

held up in rear, headway before 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, no impression from 2 out

7/1

Form: 14155P D

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Seven-time French winner; tailed off/pulled up in two British starts and has something to prove, but she ran well for a long way in Listed mares' chase at Huntingdon (2m4f, good to soft) in January, when fading having failed to settle, and ran in the competitive Imperial Cup over hurdles last time; not a forlorn hope returned to fences and back in calmer waters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

5th

5

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 56y

Class 2

14:05 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 8lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

A bit out of her depth in the Grade 2 Mares' Chase here in March but she's a consistent hurdler who ran up to her best the time before in winning a Listed race (2m5f, soft); should go well, but perhaps vulnerable to rivals on kinder marks.

10/1

6th

8

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Royale Margaux

11st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

held up in rear

33/1

Form: 7-223P C BF

Last run: 57 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 143

Form & Verdict
Pulled up about two months ago at Sandown, the venue for three of his last four wins; it's hard to be confident on this first run since but he fared respectably on his two other starts this season and has edged down to a handy mark; versatile ground-wise and not ruled out if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

1st May 2023

Good

2m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:50 Kempton

Dolos

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened quickly, pulled up 2 out

4/1

5th

1

2nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 167y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Dolos

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Pulled up about two months ago at Sandown, the venue for three of his last four wins; it's hard to be confident on this first run since but he fared respectably on his two other starts this season and has edged down to a handy mark; versatile ground-wise and not ruled out if bouncing back.

7/1

1

4th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 99y

Class 2

13:45 Sandown

Dolos

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

10yo with a remarkable record in this race, winning it for the third time 12 months ago and narrowly beaten on two other occasions; 3lb higher than last year but he's well treated on old form and a third in the Desert Orchid at Kempton last time suggests he arrives here in good form; high on the list.

11/4

OUR TIP

Form: -F1122 D BF

Last run: 45 days

W: 10st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row at the end of last year (2m1f/1m7f; good to soft) and runner-up to Xcitations at Sandown (1m7f, soft) in January; another solid second there (1m7f, good) last time and this 6yo novice could continue his progressive ways with another big run; on the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

22nd Feb 2025

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell

disputed lead early, not fluent and prominent 2nd

20/1

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

12/1

4th

4

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Corrigeen Rock

11st 6lb

J: Alan Doyle

T: Lucinda Russell

prominent

12/1

Form: 2-5481 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 11st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Won two in a row early in 2022 (2m, good/soft) and, having dropped back down the weights, he beat Xcitations to win at Wetherby (1m7f, good) last time; there's a suspicion a 5lb rise may find him out in this better race but he's not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

4th

4

16th May 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 3

17:45 Aintree

Prince Escalus

11st 4lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Missed most of last season but returned from nine-month break with quite encouraging third (albeit well held in the end) at Perth (2m, good to soft) last month; on a good mark and will also be suited by today's trip-and-ground combination; contender if that recent outing has brought him on.

9/2

3rd

4

23rd Apr 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:48 Perth

Prince Escalus

11st 8lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Absent since below-par effort in the 2024 Summer Plate and hasn't won for over two years; however, he's well treated on best form and market support should be noted.

10/1

Form: 411725 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Won at Doncaster (2m, good) in December and followed up in good style at Sandown (1m7f, soft); however, he's been beaten off this mark (7lb higher than at Sandown) on his last three starts and needs something extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

5

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 3

16:10 Newbury

Xcitations

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences) and he showed he was no back number when second of four at Leicester (2m, soft; handles good) in February; took the wrong course last time; has form here and should be thereabouts.

7/1

1

9th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 0f 213y

Class 4

14:50 Stratford

Xcitations

12st 1lb

J: Jack Andrews

T: Pam Sly

Grand servant for the yard with eight wins (six over fences); showed he was no back number when second of four in returning cheekpieces (left off here) at Leicester (2m, soft) 13 days ago; should run his race.

9/4

2nd

2

24th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 201y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

Xcitations

12st 0lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Pam Sly

Veteran who achieved nothing at Uttoxeter on reappearance but may be back in better form with that outing under his belt; gained last three wins at Sandown but he's 1-1 at Leicester.

4/1

Form: 549122 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who capitalised on a reduced mark to win at Lingfield (2m, heavy) in December and was a good second at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft) next time; also ran well when second of three at Newbury (2m, good to firm) and there can be optimism he'll produce another bold show.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £39.40
Straight Forecast £26.71
Tricast £1223.91
Trifecta £1565.60

Selections

RP Ratings:

Corrigeen Rock

SPOTLIGHT:

Frere D'Armes

WEST COUNTRY:

Prince Escalus

TOPSPEED:

Dolos

POSTDATA:

Corrigeen Rock

D Express:

Corrigeen Rock

Daily Mirror:

Corrigeen Rock

Daily Record:

Corrigeen Rock

The Times:

Frere D'Armes

Telegraph:

Frere D'Armes

The Sun:

Frere D'Armes

The Star:

Frere D'Armes