Ascot
13:50
Bateaux London Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (3m)
BOLD ENDEAVOUR (1) won by 7L making all in a novice’s handicap chase at Doncaster. Selected to complete a hat-trick under similar tactics. KINONDO KWETU (3) ended 2022 with a 1.3L victory attempting a 3m novices handicap chase at Aintree in October. Could prove dangerous given he has won his past five fences starts. JAY JAY REILLY (2) delivered a long-neck success in a 2m 2f novices handicap chase at Kempton last week. Shortlist. OSCAR ELITE (4) completes the field having pulled up over 3m at Chepstow in December.
14:25
LK Bennett Swinley Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (3m)
CAP DU NORD (12) finished 1L second in a handicap chase at Doncaster. Selected to deliver eighth career success. REVELS HILL (5) is expected to go well following a 9.8L fourth tackling a handicap chase at Sandown in December. DANNY KIRWAN (6) suffered a 2L defeat when runner-up attempting a course and distance handicap chase in October. Shortlist. LASKALIN (7) warrants consideration following a 1.5L second over 3m in a Sandown handicap chase.
15:00
Ascot Racecourse Supports Box4Kids Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) (2m31⁄2f)
IRISH HILL (7) completed a double winning by 3.8L a handicap hurdle at Fakenham. Selected to follow up. HOMME PUBLIC (3) is capable of going well on the back of a 2L win in a 2m handicap hurdle at Huntingdon. TOO FRIENDLY (9) makes the shortlist following a long-neck second in a handicap hurdle at Huntingdon last week. ZOFFANY BAY (13) won by 4L the Listed Prix Predicateur handicap hurdle over 2m 4f at Auteuil in March 2021. Could prove dangerous if sharp on stable debut.
15:35
Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) (2m5f)
FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES (2) won by 6L the G2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase over 2m 5f at Thurles. Taken to follow up. PIC D’ORHY (5) looks like a major danger following a 16L win in the G2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton. SHISHKIN (6) placed third beaten 15L tackling the 2m G1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in early December. Holds claims on his best form. MILLERS BANK (4) may put a below-par 41L sixth in the G1 King George VI Chase at Kempton behind him and challenge for the win.
Haydock Park
14:05
Betfred Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) (3m1⁄2f)
ERNE RIVER (4) remains unexposed. Returned to hurdling with a solid second among handicap company at Doncaster in December. The Nick Kent-trained runner has since undergone a wind-op and probably sets the standard in a moderate looking event for G2 level. GREEN BOOK (1) won a handicap hurdle at Sandown last-time-out. Could be in the mix. ITCHY FEET (6) is respected having returned to something like his best winning at Huntingdon last outing. Although this is something of a prep run for ASHTOWN LAD (2) he might feature following a sound runner-up effort at Warwick.
14:40
Betfred Grand National Trial H’cap Chase (Premier Handicap) (3m41⁄2f)
Conditions look likely to be quicker than ideal for the twelve-year-old BRISTOL DE MAI (1) however he did win this off 7lbs higher last season and showed ability when fourth in the G1 Betfair Chase here in November. Consider. SMALL PRESENT (13) is two from three at the track and shaped nicely when third behind a progressive performer at Market Rasen last start. FONTAINE COLLONGES (6) looked as though the stiffer stamina test would suit when a keeping on fourth at Sandown recently while remains unexposed in staying chases. Others to note include QUICK WAVE (2) and THE TWO AMIGOS (10).
Wincanton
15:12
Jenningsbet Kingwell Hurdle (Grade 2) (1m7f)
FIRST STREET (2) stepped up into Graded company finishing third attempting the G2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham. Finds a very winnable contest at this level. KNAPPERS HILL (1) was denied a hat-trick when fourth in the aforementioned Cheltenham race. Winner of the G2 course and distance Elite Hurdle in November and cannot be dismissed. I LIKE TO MOVE IT (3) finished sixth tackling the G2 Relkeel Hurdle. Holds each way claims against a small field. GLOBAL CITIZEN (4) is the outsider of the quartet. More required to feature in a race like this.
