Can Gemirande snare another Ascot chase for Venetia Williams and make a successful reappearance?

Venetia Williams and Ascot chase winners seem to go hand in hand and the trainer struck again at the last meeting with Martator. She has also saddled the winner of this race three times in the last nine runnings and Gemirande has every chance of giving her another one.

Gemirande finished fifth of 16 in the Grand Annual over two miles at Cheltenham in March and all of his best form has come over further, at around this distance. He has to bounce back on this first run since April, though, because he beat just one finisher at Cheltenham last time.

His record following breaks of at least 50 days in Britain reads P72225 and, while he has no win among that sequence, he can clearly run well fresh and Williams’ runners are usually fit.

Lucy Wadham has saddled a winner, second and two thirds from just ten runners at Ascot in the last five seasons and is likely to send out the market leader with Carlisle winner Terresita.

She recorded that last win in a Listed event and is up 10lb in the weights for her return to handicaps, but could easily be coming here on a four-timer as she would probably have won at Sandown in April but for falling at the second-last fence. She touched 1.46 in running then.

Corrigeen Rock is another last-time-out winner, having beaten the classy Thunder Rock in the Scottish Champion Chase at Musselburgh when last seen in February. He should go well for hot trainer Lucinda Russell, who has eight winners from her last 25 runners (32 per cent).
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Ground and weather

A dry forecast and cold temperatures should see good ground, with conditions expected to remain dry during racing.

Clerk Chris Stickels said: "We've had frost the last couple of nights but have been dry since Tuesday morning. The track is drying each afternoon and I'd imagine we'll be racing on good ground."

What they say

Lucinda Russell, trainer of Corrigeen Rock
He was pretty progressive last season. He has to go right-handed, and although I wouldn't say Ascot is his favourite track, there's very little for him. He'll be fine with the ground. We had the choice of this or running in a smaller field on Saturday, but we went for this race because I don't think he'd be very good in heavy conditions. It'll be a tough ask and if he places I'll be delighted.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Persian Time
He's in good form and ran a nice race at Kempton. I think he'll come on for that and we know he likes Ascot. The trip is right and we're ready to go.

Olly Murphy, trainer of Grandads Cottage
He ran well in the Topham at Aintree, but this is his first run of the season and he should come forward from it. The trip should be ideal and fingers crossed that with a clear round he'll have a good each-way chance.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Mylesfromwicklow
He ran okay in the £100,000 race a few weeks ago. It was slowly run, but this trip is ideal for him and the track shouldn't be an issue. I think he'll be competitive.

Charlie Deutsch, rider of Gemirande
I sat on him on Thursday morning and he felt well and seems to be in good form. It's nice to be getting back riding on this card and he should hopefully have a shout.
Reporting by Liam Headd

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