The Coral Hurdle and Christy 1965 Chase are the highlights on a card choc full of class.
Race 1 – 12.20pm Molton Brown Novices' Hurdle
An interesting contest to open proceedings can go the way of STONEY MOUNTAIN.
He beat a classy horse on seasonal reappearance and the pair pulled a long way clear of the rest of the field. He has plenty of scope for more and is likely to prove a tough nut to crack.
Nicky Henderson's Doux Pretender is a bit of an unknown quantity after hacking up back in the spring, while Senior Citizen is almost certainly capable of more.
VERDICT – 1. Stoney Mountain 2. Doux Pretender 3. Senior Citizen
Race 2 – 12.55pm Winning Post Bookmakers Bristol Chase
This is fascinating with a whole host of chasers open to improvement. Colin Tizzard has been in tremendous form so far this season and his DINO'S BENEFIT beat a really nice type on chasing debut. His mark looks fair and he could have plenty more to come in this sphere.
Cresswell Legend is an obvious danger for Kim Bailey, while King Of Realms loves Ascot and has plenty of potential now tackling the larger obstacles.
VERDICT – 1. Dino's Benefit 2. Cresswell Legend 3. King Of Realms
Race 3 – 1.30pm Trisoft Mares' Handicap Hurdle
A mares handicap in which nearly all the runners are possible winners. It's worth chancing PERFECT SUMMER who has been in good form on the Flat and is operating off a decent mark now returned to Hurdles.
Oscar Rose wasn't at the races last time out but she'd shown smart form at Worcester previously and is probably on a good mark if turning up this time.
Miss Mash has been in good form and Henry Daly's horses are flying so she can pick up third spot.
VERDICT – 1. Perfect Summer 2. Oscar Rose 3. Miss Mash
Race 4 – 2.05pm Christy 1965 Chase
A cracking renewal of this valuable prize and perhaps CHARBEL can improve on his recent victory and take it. His win at Chepstow has been franked in no uncertain terms by Baron Alco and he is surely capable of better over this trip.
He gets 6lb from chief danger Politologue, which could be enough to swing the scales in the favour of Kim Bailey's challenger.
Benatar is the obvious contender for third spot.
VERDICT – 1. Charbel 2. Politologue 3. Benatar
Race 5 – 2.40pm Coral Hurdle
A cracking race in prospect with IF THE CAP FITS renewing rivalry with We Have A Dream. Harry Fry's gelding is taken to come out on top again given that he was nicely clear of his main rival at Wincanton and is in receipt of 3lb.
Nicky Henderson's contender is clearly a very good horse and might have needed his reappearance but is likely set for runner-up spot once again.
Old Guard looks much the best of the remainder.
VERDICT – 1. If The Cap Fits 2. We Have A Dream 3. Old Guard
Race 6 – 3.15pm Gerard Bertrand Hurst Park Handicap Chase
A very valuable prize can go the way of SPEREDEK. Nigel Hawke's front-runner loves to blaze a trail and is very good when his rider can get the fractions right. He loves Ascot and could be set for a big run now that he's had a wind operation.
Theinval is always thereabouts in this type of race and looked an improved former towards the end of last season, while Modus looks capable of more off this mark.
VERDICT – 1. If The Cap Fits 2. We Have A Dream 3. Old Guard
Race 7 – 3.50pm Prince's Countryside Fund Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
An open finale that can go the way of ROCCOWITHLOVE. Warren Greatrex does tremendously well with his bumper horses and this is his first runner for some very powerful owners.
Hazzaar can go well for Tom Lacey, who also enjoys winners in this sphere, while point-to-point prospect De Forgotten One can pick up third.
VERDICT – 1. Roccowithlove 2. Hazzaar 3. De Forgotten One
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