Blog

North Star Oscar won well on Saturday and seems in the form of his life. We will give him another go today, and obviously Harry knows him well so it would be great to see him get his head in front again here.

Perfect Candidate will relish the trip and his dropping mark is also a positive. Ideally, the ground could be softer for him but in any case a good each-way chance.

Hes No Trouble won a novice hurdle around here last season. A former Irish point winner, he fluffed his lines over fences at Chepstow when unseating David Bass. Providing he does not repeat the error he should go close.

Keeper Hill is a high-class performer who lines up for his first chase for 18 months. He ran well in some competitive races when campaigned over hurdles last season and has been schooling well for this return over fences. If the jumping holds up he'll have a decent chance.

Cockney Beau ran very promisingly in a bumper here back in the summer. He has been pleasing us lately and could make the frame again.

First Flow ran well on his first chase when second at Uttoxeter. He hung right there as he had over hurdles, but then Ascot is right-handed. First Flow was a high-class hurdler on very soft going and I'm slightly worried that today's ground will not be soft enough. This is a big step up in…

Burnage Boy made a promising start to his hurdling career when second at Wetherby. He disappointed last time but could go close if he repeats the earlier form.

Paddling is making his seasonal debut on a track he likes. While he possibly needs further, he does go well fresh and will enjoy the ground. We're looking for this as a suitable starting point.

Not So Sleepy was headstrong in his younger days but seemed to toughen up this Flat season and I didn't really expect him to stay on so well when fourth in the Cesarewitch. He was impressive in one of his three hurdle races last term but less so in the others and while obviously well…

Heavenly Promise has done us proud winning the last twice and she can complete the hat-trick despite the 13lb rise. Trip, track and ground are all perfect for this tough mare.

Schiehallion Munro is working well and has schooled nicely at home. He was a consistent performer over hurdles last season, goes well fresh and has the makings of a smart chaser.

Maison D’Or ran a better race than his finishing position last time at Kelso would indicate. This step up in trip should suit in what looks an ordinary race. Plenty of the opposition have questions to answer so we believe he has an each-way chance today.

Ector fell on his chasing debut in the spring when we expected him to improve on his very ordinary hurdles form. He had a wind operation in the summer and back over fences we are hoping for a much better performance.

Cage of Fear ran a solid race on his hurdles debut at Hereford. This longer trip should suit him and we are hopeful he can make the frame again today.

Gracious John won many races in the past and if he takes to the surface at Chelmsford we'll be hopeful of a decent run.

Although Noble Behest is well handicapped it could be he's not as good as he was before his injury in his younger days. We've found a suitable race for him but there's a decent chance something might beat him.

Although Shaughnessy has been a slow learner, he clearly has ability and has run consistently well in all his races to date. He is a big, good- looking horse who jumps well and he is a thorough galloper. The kindest horse you will ever meet, we are hoping for another decent run from him today.

Aliandi has been a very difficult horse. He has won over hurdles but there are others more fancied in this race. He is well and comes to the race fit, so he should be placed as long as he behaves.

Good and Hardy ran a huge race two weeks ago over course and distance on his seasonal comeback. He will be ridden more aggressively today and could easily gain his first hurdles victory.

Reshoun has never won over this far but he has always struck me as likely to get the trip. On recent form he has a decent chance as long as he stays.