'He was exciting to watch last time' - key trainer quotes for big handicap prize

Saturday: 3.15 Ascot
Gerard Bertrand Hurst Park Handicap Chase | 2m1f | 4yo+ | ITV/Sky

Trainer Sam Thomas has showcased some of the equine talent at his disposal in recent weeks and must be a short price to record a career-high winners total this season after an impressive 26 victories from just 92 runners last term (28 per cent strike-rate).

Although 2019 Betfair Hurdle winner Al Dancer may hold top spot in the yard, it might not be long before enthusiastic jumper Before Midnight takes that mantle.

A relatively lightly raced eight-year-old, Before Midnight has risen 16lb since joining Thomas from Nicky Henderson in August 2020 and posted a clear career best with an all-the-way victory at Cheltenham on his seasonal reappearance last month. Some bold jumping left his six rivals, which included the reopposing Sky Pirate, on the back foot from an early stage and similarly aggressive tactics should be employed again.

The handicapper has hit him with an 8lb rise, which appears fully justified given the authority of his success, and he rates the one to beat if he can repeat that effort on a right-handed track. The course has to be a slight concern for Sky Pirate, who jumped markedly left here in 2019.

A quartet who will appreciate the return to Ascot is headed by recent course-and-distance scorer Amoola Gold, who was given a well-timed ride from Bridget Andrews to deny Monsieur Lecoq on the line 21 days ago. Sully D'Oc Aa finished 23 lengths behind and has a mountain to climb on that evidence.

Amoola Gold (yellow silks): clears the last at Ascot last monthCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

First-time cheekpieces are fitted to Amoola Gold, who hasn't looked overly quirky in his races, but a slower early gallop wouldn't suit his hold-up style of racing and he may struggle to confirm the form with Monsieur Lecoq.

Paul Nicholls and Johnny de la Hey are represented by previous Ascot winners Diego Du Charmil and Dolos, both of whom appear high enough in the weights based on their recent efforts.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Dan Skelton, trainer of Amoola Gold
I'm very, very happy with Amoola Gold. He's good round Ascot, and he knows this track and this trip really well. I've put a pair of cheekpieces on just to help him in the middle part of the race. I think he'll go well.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Sully D'Oc Aa
My theory is that he probably blew up a little last time and I think he'll come on from that. I was hoping after Punchestown we might be able to kick on into open company but we've had the run and come down a couple of pounds, so I hope he'll be competitive. I think he'll be fine off three weeks turnaround and he does like decent ground and so we'll have a go.

Sully D'Oc Aa: on his way to success under Simon Torrens at the Punchestown FestivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Sam Thomas, trainer of Before Midnight
He's been a star for the yard and he was exciting to watch last time. If anything, I'm hoping the track might suit him a little bit better as he went out a little bit to his right at Cheltenham. He's got Sky Pirate among others to beat again, but I think he'd have won with 8lb extra on his back the last day so I hope the handicapper hasn't quite got us yet.

Jane Williams, trainer of Monsieur Lecoq
He goes well at Ascot and looked all over the winner on fast ground there last time until collared close home which is a race I don't want to watch again. He'll give his usual good account.
Reporting by Scott Burton

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