small but high-class fields at Ascot

there is also an extremely high-class N.H. card at Ascot, though some of the fields are small. The Grade 2 hurdle race at 14.55 could provide more Champion Hurdle clues, as the much improved 4yo Crack Away Jack (Emma Lavelle/ Jack Doyle) faces his stiffest task yet. The opposition includes Nicky Hemderson´s mare Chomba Womba (Barry Geraghty), impressive last time out at Wincanton, Elusive Dream (Paul Nicholls/ Christian Williams), who finished last season with 2 easy wins, and just about holds Franchoek (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle for which he started a hot favourite. The Grade Two handicap chase at 16.05 is also a hot race. Mahigany Blaze (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) ran an excellent race in defeat at Exeter last time and on April form holds Paul Nicholls´ top-weight Oslot (Nick Scholfield); however last-time-out winner My Petra (Henderson/ Geraghty) looks very dangerous off her low weight.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Indian Pipe Dream - Barnhill Brownie - Toby Belch
2.Race: Fairoak Lad - Distiller - Phone In
3.Race: Jack The Giant - Bleu Superbe - Andreas
4.Race: Crack Away Jack - Elusive Dream - Chomba Womba
5.Race: Poquelin - Psychomodo - Cheating Chance
6.Race: Mahogany Blaze - Oslot - My Petra
7.Race: Red Harbour - Fiftyonefiftyone - Riddleofthesands