Graeme Rodway's banker at Ascot on Saturday

Doyen Breed
1.50 Ascot

This tough and genuine novice chaser has improved with each of his three starts over fences this season and comes into this race on the back of a career-best effort when second at Warwick last month.

Doyen Breed was no match for dominant winner Threeunderthrufive, but he stuck to his task well and was keeping on strongly at the line. The winning margin was gradually being eroded and he shaped like he was well suited by a stiff test of stamina over 3m on testing ground.

He will get exactly that here because it's uphill all the way home from Swinley Bottom at Ascot and there has been plenty of rain this week.

Doyen Breed got closer to Threeunderthrufive than favourite Does He Know did at Cheltenham on his latest start, albeit on 5lb better terms, and the softer ground he might swing it in my selection's favour. Does He Know has shown most of his best form on good going.

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