13:50 Ascot

Apple Away is a worthy favourite and has improved with each chase start, while Kilbeg King faced an impossible task in the Kauto Star and ran as well as could’ve been expected.

However, preference is for BRAVE KINGDOM (7/2 on bet365) who could still have plenty of improvement left in him over fences. Five from six under rules, he’s had his injury issues but has always been talented and he did remarkably well to defy a long layoff on seasonal/chase debut at Plumpton to beat an in-form rival over a trip short of his best.

 

He stepped forward again at Newbury, showing a good attitude having been headed; Theatre Man, who rivalled him for the lead and eventually finished third, has franked the form by finishing a good second in a competitive race at Cheltenham on his next start.

14:25 Ascot

Just over 12 months ago, RARE EDITION (6/1 NAP on William Hill) was touted as a leading British hope for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle; and while he didn’t quite progress as expected towards the back end of last season, he’s shown more than enough to suggest he can defy a mark of 139.

Well backed on seasonal reappearance, he couldn’t quite reel in the leading duo who had the run of the race, but made amends next time out at Kempton. While he wasn’t overly impressive, the sharp two-miles would not have been ideal and he had to overcome a bad error at the second last.

He won with a fair bit in hand and the three-pound seems lenient, and now stepped up in trip, there should be plenty more to come given he is a half-brother to Grade 2 2m6f winner, Pencilfulloflead.

16:10 Ascot

Making her handicap debut against the geldings will be challenging, but there are reasons to believe that COCO MADEMOISELLE (5/1) could be well handicapped off 121.

A point-to-point & bumper winner (she beat El Elefante in her P2P), she shaped as if in need of the run on her hurdling debut before running out an emphatic winner next-time out. Sent off 1/3 to win under a penalty when last seen, she looked to have the race at her mercy but greenness cost her.

As it transpired, she was attempting to concede seven-pounds to Springtime Promise, who won again on her next start and recently won a Grade 2 at Sandown (beating another well-regarded Dan Skelton mare, Cherie D’Am). She shapes as though three-miles will suit, and her breeding would also suggest that this trip will bring about further improvement.