Ascot races tips, racecard, declarations and preview for the meeting live on ITV and Racing TV this Saturday, February 16
Ascot hosts a brilliant card on Saturday and we've got everything you need whether you're at the track or on your sofa
IT'S a week late, but we have ourselves a super Saturday.
Ascot hosts a nine-race bonanza, including the rescheduled Betfair Hurdle and the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, and we've got all bases covered with our in-depth preview.
Race 1 - 12.30 Thames Materials Novices' Hurdle
An intriguing race to kick off the card, with narrow preference for DEISE ABA.
The form of his impressive Chepstow win has been well-advertised and he is an exciting prospect.
I Can't Explain was a little disappointing when beaten at Cheltenham but he poses a big threat, while Dashel Drasher is best of the rest.
VERDICT - 1. Deise Aba 2. I Can't Explain 3. Dashel Drasher
Race 2 - 1.00 Ascot Supports Berkshire Community Foundation Handicap Hurdle
UMNDENI looked far from the finished article when landing the odds at Fontwell.
But he is a progressive individual who could prove chucked in off a mark of 130.
Cloudy Glen is on a hat-trick but will need to pull out more off 12lb higher, so the main threat may come from the returning Master Blueyes.
VERDICT - 1. Umndeni 2. Master Blueyes 3. Cloudy Glen
Race 3 - 1.35 Sodexo Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (Grade 2)
YALLTARI only made it as far as the first fence at Exeter last time.
He had previously looked a very useful chaser in the making, so he is worth another chance.
Top Ville Ben won by a huge margin at Wetherby, but that race rather fell apart and this will be more demanding. The reliable Now McGinty is not discounted.
VERDICT - 1. Yalltari 2. Top Ville Ben 3. Now McGinty
Race 4 - 2.10 Keltbray Swinley Chase (Listed)
The return to 3m will suit BLACK CORTON, who ran well behind Top Notch over an inadequate trip at Kempton last time.
He can get his head back in front at the chief expense of Coneygree, who should give a bold sight from the front around here.
Regal Encore likes it at this track and won't be far away.
VERDICT - 1. Black Corton 2. Coneygree 3. Regal Encore
Race 5 - 2.45 Betfair Denman Chase (Grade 2)
CLAN DES OBEAUX delivered a career-best performance to win the King George on Boxing Day.
The improving seven-year-old should take the world of beating here on his way to the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Terrefort ran with much more encouragement at Cheltenham and can chase the selection home ahead of Ballyhill and the out-of-form Thomas Patrick.
VERDICT - 1. Clan Des Obeaux 2. Terrefort 3. Ballyhill
Race 6 - 3.20 Betfair Hurdle (Grade 3)
Getaway Trump ran a blinder to finish second in the Challow Hurdle and should run another big race for Paul Nicholls.
But, at the prices, narrow preference is for DIDTHEYLEAVEUOUTTO.
Nick Gifford's six-year-old wasn't seen to best effect in a muddling race at Kempton last time, but he is surely well-handicapped off 139 and he's unbeaten at Ascot.
Lisp (who was given a mountain to climb when second here in December) and Al Dancer are others to consider closely.
VERDICT - 1. Didtheyleaveuoutto 2. Getaway Trump 3. Lisp
Race 7 - 3.55 Betfair Ascot Chase (Grade 1)
A mouthwatering race in prospect.
WAITING PATIENTLY was so impressive when winning this race last year and was unfortunate to lose Brian Hughes in the King George.
He is a top-class performer and, for all this is a tougher race than 12 months ago, he is the one to beat.
Politologue is a proven Grade 1 performer and leads a strong challenge from the Paul Nicholls yard.
His other runner Cyrname was an incredibly impressive winner here four weeks ago, but that was miles better than anything he has produced before so he needs to back it up.
Fox Norton ran with encouragement on his reappearance behind Altior and should be sharper today, while Charbel and Aso can't be completely ruled out.
VERDICT - 1. Waiting Patiently 2. Politologue 3. Fox Norton
Race 8 - 4.30 Best Racing On Racing TV Handicap Hurdle
The lightly-raced MODERN WARFAIR could be the answer in this tricky handicap.
He won going away at Doncaster last month and a 5lb rise could underestimate him.
Trixster, Worthy Farm and Another Emotion head a long list of dangers.
VERDICT - 1. Modern Warfair 2. Trixster 3. Worthy Farm
Race 9 - 5.00 British EBF Mares' Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
SILVER FOREVER ran well to finish third in a Listed bumper at Huntingdon.
This stiffer track will suit and she can resume winning ways at Subway Surf's expense.
Lunar Baby was a rare first-time-out bumper winner for Jonjo O'Neill in November and commands respect.
VERDICT - 1. Silver Forever 2. Subway Surf 3. Lunar Baby