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.
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