The weather is wreaking havoc on the jumps fixtures this week with waterlogging at several venues.
Of the bigger priced runners, 18/1 shot Katenko is another interesting French recruit, this time for Venetia Williams and like the favourite could be leniently weighted on his first start in Britain. He is a Grade 3 chase winner at Auteuil but is much more exposed than Pipe's runner.
It's a difficult one to call and it's anyone's guess how well handicapped the favourite it. If I was to guess I'd say he is well treated but as a result the bookmakers have taken no chances, so I think Sivola de Sivola could be a decent bet, with the Venetia Williams trained Katenko one for each way punters.
Amlin Chase
Ascot also raced Friday and the ground was soft after more significant rain.
The Grade 2 Amlin Chase has attracted Nicky Henderson's Finian's Rainbow, the Champion Chase winner will have to give weight away to his rivals, but there are only four of them. This race is over 2 miles 3 furlongs, but he signed his season off with a win in the 2m4f Melling Chase at Aintree and he is a leading contender for the three-mile King George on Boxing Day so the trip won't be a problem.
He's the class act in this, but I don't think he's a certainty by any means as Captain Chris (the horse who beat him in the 2011 Arkle) and For Non Stop are worthy opponents. Things didn't pan out for the Philip Hobbs trained Captain Chris after that festival win, but he showed he still retains plenty of ability and is a horse I've always liked.
I'm just edging towards For Non Stop in this though, as he has the benefit of a run under his belt this season and his trainer Nick Williams is having a few winners at the moment. He scooted up in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree in October and seems to improve with every year. He was third in the Jewson at the festival in March and providing the ground doesn't get really testing it may be worth taking a chance on him at the prices.
Nicky Henderson's Oscar Whisky will be hoping to fare better in the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle than he did twelve months ago. He fell at the last flight of hurdles when battling out the closing stages of the race with eventual winner Overturn. It's debatable whether he would have beaten the winner, but it was a great effort none the less.
This two and a half mile trip is his optimum and he is the highest rated in this four runner field. He came back to win four of his five starts after the fall signing off with a victory in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle in April.
He goes well fresh and should win this. I don't think Get Me Out Of Here, Brampour or the improving Raya Star are quite his class and he won't mind the ground conditions at Ascot.
Selections
Weird Al in the Betfair Chase
Sivola de Sivola in the Fixed Brush Hurdle @ 6/1 with Sky Bet
For Non Stop in the Amlin Chase
Oscar Whisky in the Coral Hurdle
