UK Horse Racing Tips: Ascot

Master Debonair has continued to go the right way, winning twice here over timber, and arrives on the back of a Grade 2 success just before Christmas. He's officially rated 5lb higher than SPORTING JOHN, but Philip Hobbs' gelding could not have been more impressive on both his starts over hurdles at Exeter and he promises to be suited by the step up in trip. Pipesmoker shaped with plenty of encouragement behind stablemate Chantry House at Cheltenham in a contest that has worked out and he isn't one to discount with the potential for more to come.
Prediction : 1st Sporting John 2nd Master Debonair 3rd Pipesmoker

SAM BROWN returned from over two years off the track to win impressively on his chasing debut at Lingfield and followed that effort up to land a Grade 2 at Haydock in great style. The step back up in distance can only suit the eight-year-old, with testing conditions firmly in his favour, and he could prove too strong for Pym, who has stepped forward since tackling 3m and upwards on his last couple of starts, and Copperhead, who warrants his place in the field after a smooth display at Newbury over the Christmas period.
Prediction : 1st Sam Brown 2nd Pym 3rd Copperhead

Jepeck has enjoyed a fine season having landed the Veterans' Final at Sandown on his latest start where the 11-year-old was value for further than the winning margin after being impeded by a loose horse in the closing stages. Regal Encore landed his third big C&D success when taking the Silver Cup for the second time just before Christmas and the veteran can enter the reckoning off a 4lb higher mark, but the vote goes to VALTOR. He is just 2lb higher than his UK debut when storming clear with the 2018 Silver Cup and a 3lb drop for a solid effort at Taunton might prove to be lenient.
Prediction : 1st Valtor 2nd Jepeck 3rd Red Indian

Connections of EDEN DU HOUX presumably began the season with Cheltenham aspirations - and he is still in a couple of the big novice races at the Festival - but he fluffed his lines on his first couple of hurdles runs. A wind operation did the trick, though, because he dug deep at Chepstow and victory here off a decent mark could book him his Prestbury Park ticket. The Con Man is progressing well and heads a large list of dangers that also includes 2017 winner Air Horse One, his stablemate Jolly's Cracked It and consistent juvenile Nordano.
Prediction : 1st Eden Du Houx 2nd The Con Man 3rd Air Horse One

It was in this race 12 months ago that CYRNAME announced himself as one of the best NH performers in training, with his 17-length demolition of Waiting Patiently still fresh in the memory. He has since become the only horse to beat Altior over obstacles and, although he had to settle for second behind stablemate Clan Des Obeaux when tried over 3m in the King George, he possibly emerged with his reputation enhanced. He should be in a different league to this lot and while Riders Onthe Storm hasn't put a foot wrong since joining Nigel Twiston-Davies, Janika may be the one to chase him home.
Prediction : 1st Cyrname 2nd Janika 3rd Riders Onthe Storm

EASYRUN DE VASSY suffered a troubled passage when fourth over C&D, but he was only just denied at Taunton prior to that and could have a couple of handicaps in him before the season is out. Endless Flight made an excellent start to his handicap career at Exeter, with Vaziani and Be My Sea also arriving on the back of wins, albeit less impressive ones. Maypole Class is holding his form really well, while St Barts and Frisson Collonges are interesting as they step out of maiden/novice company. Taunton runner-up Normandy Soldier can't be ruled out either.
Prediction : 1st Easyrun De Vassy 2nd Endless Flight 3rd Maypole Class

PURE BLISS went for a six-figure sum after striking between the flags and followed up on her first outing for Harry Fry in a Ffos Las bumper. She probably didn't beat much but looks a bright prospect and can take the next step up the ladder. Belle De Manech was far from disgraced in Listed company at Cheltenham, while Sabrina couldn't reward favourite backers at Taunton but still offered plenty of promise. Forthegreatergood was another beaten market leader on her Rules bow but has had wind surgery since.
Prediction : 1st Pure Bliss 2nd Belle De Manech 3rd Sabrina