Betfair Ascot Chase 2012

3.00 Ascot

Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1)  (5YO plus)

Winner £84,405

Advice: 1 pt Kauto Stone (4/1 Bet365), 2 pts Kauto Stone w/o Riverside Theatre (2/1 Coral) 

Gauvain: Has been in excellent form when standing up this season, winning impressively at Cheltenham before giving good beating to Somsersby in Peterborough Chase; Those efforts give him decent chance but well held by Riverside Theatre in this last year which does raise a slight doubt or two.

I’msinigingtheblues: Gained a deserved win here four starts ago and solid handicap efforts see him with a rating of 153; Close to a career best when just edged out by Tatenen over C&D in competitive handicap but needs to find another level in this company.

Kauto Stone: Hugely exciting recruit, being a half brother to fabled Kauto Star and also a Grade 1 winner in France; Exciting when romping home in Grade 2 at Down Royal on UK debut and while he proved no match for Sizing Europe in Tingle Creek, that no shame and sure to be happier back up in trip, so rates a serious contender.

Little Josh: Revived by front running tactics last season when landing Paddy Power Gold Cup from the front with great ride, but same tactics failed him off higher mark later on; Going as well as anything in Argento before stamina gave away, and for all he should improve a lot for that, he’ll need to be better still here.

 

Merdermit: Better with every run over fences and unlucky not to win December Gold Cup at Cheltenham when giving nearly a stone to perfectly ridden runner up; That gives him a chance here and likely to be thereabouts.

 

Riverside Theatre: Made further progression from his promising novice season when second to Long Run in King George before running out a very easy winner of this contest on his last start; Absence of a year quite a concern although he’s won first time out for the last three seasons and stable are absolutely flying; The one to beat.

Tatenen: Brought to a great peak to land valuable handicap chase for the second year running here last time; Now rated 150 but 7lbs worse offer with runner up and this a big step up in class.

The Sawyer: Still runs his heart out even at this age but this should be beyond him.

VERDICT: A good renewal and a couple of strong clues for one of the hotter renewals of the Ryanair in recent seasons. Riverside Theatre sets a good standard on his win in this last year but he’s been off since then - which has to prove a little bit of a worry despite his excellent record fresh -and it’s hard not to like the claims of KAUTO STONE, who returns to what’s likely to prove his ideal trip, having tried in vain to chase home Sizing Europe in the Tingle Creek last time, and he’s worth backing with and without the favourite. Medermit should be right there in third after progressively better efforts on each occasion this season.