An interesting jumps card at Ascot this afternoon with a small but select field going to post for the Beginners’ Chase.
El Namooze is likely to go off a short-priced favourite on the back of his excellent second at Huntingdon on his first start over fences, but I am looking forward to seeing Thomas Brown (1.30) over the larger obstacles and hope Noel Fehily makes it a decent test over a trip, arguably, on the short side.
The mare Bon Chic has been re-routed from Wincanton, presumably in search of better ground which might not be the case, and Remind Me Later has a bit to find on his hurdles form to trouble the principles.
The 2m 5f handicap chase is a cracker with Back To Bracka and Tenor Nivernais much respected but Ballinvarrig (2.40) is only 2lbs higher than chasing home Gas Line Boy on his first start last season and soft ground, right-handed track and 2m 5f will suit. The selection is 8/1 at BetVictor and should reward each way support.
Caulfields Venture did us a favour at Exeter on his reappearance and a 5lbs rise looks fair. Despite winning on soft ground in the past he is, arguably, better on decent ground and is overlooked on this occasion. A market move for Achille would be worth noting on his British debut and first start for Venetia Williams but preference is for Loose Chips (3.15) whose six career wins have all been gained on flat right-handed tracks.
Jonjo O’Neill saddles two in the opening handicap hurdle at Haydock and Optimistic Bias (12.50) is taken to follow up his recent Aintree dead-heat from a 6lbs higher mark. The horse he dead-heated with (Sykes) has franked the form by subsequently winning at Chepstow and his young conditional is good value for his 7lbs.
Barry Geraghty rides Listen And Learn but he might need better ground and a bigger danger might be Oscar Blue who is chasing his hat-trick for Brian Ellison.
I am keen to oppose Francis Of Assisi on the ground in the listed Novices’ Hurdle and the lightly-raced Welsh Shadow (1.50) has had the form of his second to Yanworth at Exeter franked by the winner and third who have both scored earlier in the week. The selection will get further in time but he receives weight from many of the principles and the Dan Skelton yard remains in good form.
Geraghty is at Haydock predominantly to ride Minella Rocco (2.30) who is unbeaten in three starts and is taken to make a winning chase debut in receipt of 5lbs from recent Carlisle scorer Silsol. The selection is currently 14/1 at BetVictor for the RSA Chase (16s JLT) and looked a potential superstar when scoring at Newbury back in February.
Celldomfed is of interest having his first start for Jonjo O’Neill having left Adrian Maguire since landing his sole Bumper in his native Ireland. Trevor Hemmings had a winner at Market Rasen yesterday, however, and likes to have winners at his local tracks and his Vintage Clouds (3.05) ran well on his hurdles debut when runner up at Carlisle and although this slight drop back in trip is a slight concern he must go close.
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