Has the handicapper given 'frustrating' Palmers Hill a winning chance?

Saturday: 1.50 Ascot
Howden Handicap Chase | 2m3f | 4yo+ | Sky/ITV4

Have we already seen the best performance of Palmers Hill's season? After promising plenty early in his career, this lightly raced eight-year-old has had a truncated schedule under rules and has achieved his three best RPRs after long breaks.

Palmers Hill ran to a mark of 139 on each occasion, including when he sauntered to success at Wetherby last month. He might be best when fresh – he has form figures of 11241 after breaks of 200 days or longer and 4309 after quicker turnarounds – but the handicapper has given him a chance off just 134.

If a different Palmers Hill turns up, which is a distinct possibility, it will break this race wide open. With a similar profile is Knight In Dubai, who had almost two years off the track before returning with a creditable fifth-placed finish at Aintree last month.

Although he may bounce second time up, he is sure to strip fitter for that effort and Ascot's jumping test should suit him better than the Merseyside track.

He was a rising star in the 2019-20 season before he suffered his injury at the Cheltenham Festival and shouldn't be discounted.

Gary Moore: 'It's a tough race and any rain would be a help for him'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Those looking for course form won't be disappointed with three Ascot winners in the line-up in Diego Du Charmil, Dolos and Sully D'Oc AA. The latter is of most interest given he finished ahead of the Paul Nicholls-trained pair here 28 days ago despite inaccurate jumping.

Guy, who is often the bridesmaid rather than the bride, bumped into the resurgent Pink Legend at this track last time and should be suited by conditions.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Sully D'Oc AA
He ran well at Ascot a few runs back in an £85,000 handicap chase, but he seems to be slightly up against it with his handicap mark. There aren't many of these types of races around and he doesn't want the really boggy ground, so it seems sensible to give it a go. It might be his last chance to run over the winter. We're going there optimistic.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Knight In Dubai
He'll definitely step forward from his first run. I've been waiting to find an intermediate trip on slow ground. Hopefully, the ground is as soft as we can expect and he'll run very well.

Jonjo O'Neill Jr, rider of Palmers Hill
He's been a frustrating horse. JP [McManus] has had to be very patient with him but he does have the ability. He's hard to catch right but Tom [Scudamore] gave him a great ride to win at Wetherby and a similar round of jumping should put him in the mix.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Guy
He's very good. The drying ground will help him; the better the ground the better he is. He's got good course form and he should go all right.

Evan Williams, trainer of Golden Whisky
It's a big step up in class but he was progressive last season and we thought it was worth a go in a better race.

Gary Moore, trainer of Zhiguli
It's a tough race and any rain would be a help for him. He's in good order, as much as he can be, but it's a deep race and he might not get his ground. It'll be tough for him.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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2.05 Haydock: 'I don't know how good he is' – Oliver Sherwood in the dark over Little Awkward

2.25 Ascot: trainer insight on Thyme Hill, Paisley Park, Ronald Pump and more

2.40 Haydock: 'Unfortunate' Ladbrokes Trophy faller Remastered gets shot at redemption

3.00 Ascot: 'He comes alive here' – veteran Regal Encore back for more at favourite track

3.35 Ascot: 'He's got a real chance' – analysis and key quotes for valuable handicap hurdle

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