Three horses who will appreciate the ground at Ascot on Saturday

Ascot takes centre stage on Saturday with a seven-race card headlined by the Matchbook Betting Exchange Clarence House Chase (3.35). The ground, which is officially soft, heavy in places, will play an important role, and four Racing Post reporters have selected some key fancies who will relish conditions in Berkshire.

Flintham
2.25 Ascot

The exploits of Hennessy hero Carruthers and Coneygree, who became the first novice for 41 years to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015, show how capable Mark Bradstock and his wife Sara are at readying one for the big day, but those achievements could be topped with an even finer training performance if Flintham, from the same mare as that duo, bounces back with a bang on his first start for 1,064 days.

The Kayf Tara gelding has been off since finishing second in a Chepstow novice chase in February 2018, but produced a smart effort when runner-up in the Reynoldstown over Saturday's course and distance the year before that.

Saturday's racecards

Carruthers and Coneygree were fine on testing ground and the dam Plaid Maid won three times when the going was described as heavy, so conditions should suit Flintham.

Two of his four victories have come on heavy and there are no grounds for concern if the Bradstock camp has worked its magic again.

James Burn, Lambourn correspondent

Espoir De Guye
3.00 Ascot

Espoir De Guye is a course-and-distance winner on soft ground and has an excellent chance dropping back to 2m5f.

The Venetia Williams-trained seven-year-old won more comfortably here in November than the half-length margin suggested under Charlie Deutsch.

Espoir De Guye: weekend Ascot win could be another step on the road to Graded racesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

He was then stepped up to three miles in a competitive handicap at Ascot but struggled to get home and could manage only eighth on heavy ground.

Espoir De Guye is still young and, back at his optimum trip, this could be another step on the road to Graded races.

Jonathan Harding, reporter

3.35 Ascot

Rarely has a horse been better named as this mudlark has caused owner Richard Collins and trainer Ruth Jefferson to show excessive self-restraint of late.

Their ten-year-old showed what he could do on soft ground when cruising to a hugely impressive victory in the Ascot Chase nearly three years ago.

Who will win the Clarence House Chase at Ascot? Our experts have their say

He needs give underfoot and has raced just five times since, returning from eight months off to finish third in the Tingle Creek at a muddy Sandown last season.

These testing conditions will be ideal as Waiting Patiently drops back to 2m after his fine second in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

David Carr, reporter

Read more on Saturday's Clarence House Chase at Ascot:

Brian Hughes keen to strike another blow for 'second-class citizens' at Ascot

Members' Club: 'He never gets enough credit' – Politologue still underrated says owner Hales

Harry Cobden called up for Politologue ride in Clarence House and Champion Chase

'He's so well he'd have hurt someone!' – Waiting Patiently set for Saturday epic

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