Ascot

Tomorrow, ChaseClass 12m7f

Given the mitigating circumstances PIC ROC did extremely well to get as close as he did when fifth in what is traditionally one of the most competitive handicap chases of the season at Newbury three weeks ago. On that evidence, he surely has a pot such as this in him off his present mark. There won't be much margin for error, though, with Johnnywho greatly respected back at his optimum trip, while Victtorino, who has won the last two renewals of this, and Henry's Friend are also feared.

  • Pic Roc
  • Johnnywho
  • Victtorino
3m Hcap Chs
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 3 places
  • 11. Pic Roc
    J: Ben JonesT: Ben Pauling
    F: 220P6-U15
    Price History:
    5.00
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    10-9
    Gear:
    cheekpieces
    Official Rating:
    135
    Days Since Last Run:
    21
    Verdict
    Deservedly opened chase account at Huntingdon (23.5f, good) last month and subsequently did well to finish as close as he did in a major Newbury handicap, having been one of those to fluff his lines in the standing start. Current mark is a good judged on that evidence and he's a key player.
  • 9. Blow Your Wad
    J: Sam Twiston-DaviesT: Tom Lacey
    F: 21615/55-3
    Price History:
    6.50
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    11-2
    Gear:
    cheekpieces and tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    142
    Days Since Last Run:
    49
    Verdict
    Winning hurdler who improved over fences in 2023/24, winning the Grade 2 Pendil at Kempton. Underwent a second wind op following a truncated campaign last term and resumed with a solid third to Henry's Friend over C&D last month. Cheekpieces replace the first-time visor he sported that day.
  • 4. Victtorino
    J: Charlie DeutschT: Venetia Williams
    F: 4P/311P7-0
    Price History:
    6.00
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    11-6
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    146
    Days Since Last Run:
    21
    Verdict
    Largely progressive chaser who enhanced excellent record here when landing this race for the second successive season 12 months ago. Collected another valuable C&D prize in February and his yard is now in much better form compared to when he failed to fire on return at Newbury. Solid claims.
  • 7. Johnnywho
    J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.T: Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill
    F: 4/133325-5
    Price History:
    6.00
    Age:
    8
    Weight:
    11-5
    Gear:
    tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    145
    Days Since Last Run:
    42
    Verdict
    Reached a smart level over fences as a novice, most notably going close in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March. Didn't quite have the stamina for the Irish National the following month, but shaped well (this time over an inadequate trip) on return at Aintree and he's high on the shortlist.
  • 10. Deep Cave
    J: Jack TudorT: Christian Williams
    F: 1055461-1
    Price History:
    9.00
    Age:
    7
    Weight:
    10-13
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    139
    Days Since Last Run:
    38
    Verdict
    Did well over hurdles for this yard last term, ending the campaign with a big win at Aintree in April. Upped his game again when making a winning chase debut on these shores (chase winner in France) on return at Bangor (3m, heavy) and a 4 lb rise is far from prohibitive.
  • 12. Transmission
    J: Sean BowenT: Neil Mulholland
    F: 1/21265-08
    Price History:
    8.00
    Age:
    8
    Weight:
    10-4
    Gear:
    cheekpieces
    Official Rating:
    130
    Days Since Last Run:
    34
    Verdict
    Took well to fences last term, successful at Cheltenham last November and also a good fifth in National Hunt Chase at the Festival there in March. That spark has been missing so far this season, but it's far too soon to write this 8-y-o off and the booking of Sean Bowen is a plus.
  • 8. Hyland
    J: Nico de BoinvilleT: Nicky Henderson
    F: 41122P-97
    Price History:
    13.00
    Age:
    8
    Weight:
    11-3
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    143
    Days Since Last Run:
    21
    Verdict
    Enjoyed a fine campaign over fences last term, winning 3 times before runner-up in the Kauto Star and Ladbrokes Trophy (both at Kempton). By no means disgraced in a couple of major handicaps since returning to action in October and one suspects that he'll be closer to concert pitch now.
  • 3. Henrys Friend
    J: Kielan WoodsT: Ben Pauling
    F: P/45188-18
    Price History:
    9.00
    Age:
    8
    Weight:
    11-6
    Gear:
    cheekpieces
    Official Rating:
    146
    Days Since Last Run:
    8
    Verdict
    Proved better than ever when landing a big pot on return over C&D last month, making it 2-2 at Ascot in the process. Jumped tentatively when down the field in another major handicap at Cheltenham recently, but fact that he's turning out again just 8 days later would suggest that all is well.
  • 2. Threeunderthrufive
    J: Harry CobdenT: Paul Nicholls
    F: 210/32PP-4
    Price History:
    15.00
    Age:
    10
    Weight:
    11-10
    Gear:
    cheekpieces and tongue strap
    Official Rating:
    150
    Days Since Last Run:
    42
    Verdict
    Smart chaser on his day and shaped well when third to Victtorino in this race off a 5 lb higher mark on reappearance last season. On the downside, he was pulled up final 2 starts of last term and first run of present campaign in the Badger Beers at Wincanton wasn't overly encouraging either.
  • 5. Leave of Absence
    J: Rex DingleT: Anthony Honeyball
    F: 221-1P
    Price History:
    26.00
    Age:
    8
    Weight:
    11-5
    Gear:
    -
    Official Rating:
    145
    Days Since Last Run:
    36
    Verdict
    Hasn't stood much racing but there's plenty of ability there, as he again proved when seeing off 6 rivals on return at Cheltenham. The testing conditions that counted against him at the same course next time are unlikely to be present here, but needs to raise his game a notch in any case.
  • 1. GA Law
    J: Isabelle RyderT: Jamie Snowden
    F: 2295PP3-3
    Price History:
    29.00
    Age:
    9
    Weight:
    12-0
    Gear:
    cheekpieces
    Official Rating:
    154
    Days Since Last Run:
    49
    Verdict
    Bright start to last season, finishing second at Chepstow and in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, a race he won in 2022. However, spent a significant portion of 2024/25 campaign out of form and his reappearance this time round in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby was rather low-key.
  • 6. Two For Gold
    J: Tom BellamyT: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls
    F: 9P26/4P2-6
    Price History:
    34.00
    Age:
    12
    Weight:
    11-5
    Gear:
    cheekpieces
    Official Rating:
    145
    Days Since Last Run:
    49
    Verdict
    Plenty of smart handicap form to his name, including several solid efforts round here in the past. Clearly retains ability aged 12 judged on his reappearance sixth in the C&D race won by Henry's Friend last month, but not enough to suggest that he'll be equal to this task.
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