1:50 Ascot

Tip 1: Stencil - 1pt

Best odds of 13/8 at Betfred while publishing.

This looks like a competitive Novices’ Handicap Chase, but a chance is taken on STENCIL (best priced at 13/8), who is now fitted with a hood. The four-year-old caught the eye with size as a juvenile hurdler last season and ran well to finish 2nd behind East India Dock in a Grade 2 on trials day. He was sent off only 11/4 to win the Fred Winter at the festival off a mark of 135, but raced too keenly, and it was the same at the November meeting when he weakened into 5th in the Grade 2 Arkle Trial.

Stencil jumped well that day under Harry Cobden, but either the fact that it was his reappearance run or that he raced too keenly in the early stages, his effort up the hill faltered. With his sights lowered back into handicap company, I expect him to get off the same mark over fences at the second attempt.

2:25 Ascot

Tip 2: King William Rufus - 0.5pt EW

Best odds of 20/1 at William Hill while publishing.

The Chris Gordon stable are having a fantastic season so far, operating at a 27% strike rate in comparison to his overall strike rate of 17% in the past five seasons. KING WILLIAM RUFUS (best priced at 20/1) finished 5th in this race in 2023 before winning it in impressive style by six lengths last season off a mark of 112.

King William Rufus ended last season with a victory at Cheltenham off a mark of 119 and ran well to finish 4th on his reappearance at that track off a mark of 123. The handicapper has dropped him 1lb for his below-par effort in the Greatwood Hurdle last time, but he now drops back down in grade to this Class 4 0-120 handicap off top weight. The softer ground is a slight concern, but he should run well with five places widely available.

3:00 Ascot

Tip 3: Steel Ally - 1pt

Best odds of 9/4 at bet365 while publishing.

Despite there only being five runners, this looks a good renewal of the Grade 2 Noel Novices’ Chase, and preference goes to STEEL ALLY (best priced at 9/4), who runs here rather than in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novice Chase against the likes of Lulamba and Be Aware. The Sam Thomas-trained seven-year-old finished 2nd in the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle behind Nemean Lion last season and was an impressive five-length winner at Carlisle on his chasing debut on his reappearance.

Steel Ally gets a 3lb penalty for that success over Unexpected Party, but he jumped well and handled the soft ground that day. This step back up in trip to 2m3f shouldn’t be an inconvenience to him, and he can hopefully outstay No Questions Asked late on.