Key questions surrounding the Sodexo Gold Cup with Antony back for more

3.35 Ascot
Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase | Gr 3 | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV

Can Antony turn tables on Go Conquer?

Gary Moore has trodden a familiar path to this £100,000 handicap highlight with last year's winner Antony, having taken in the same prep race at Fontwell as in 2016.

The six-year-old ran a solid comeback when fading late on in third behind As De Mee and winner Go Conquer, who has gone up 7lb for his exploits and reopposes.

"Fontwell was a very pleasing run over a trip that was probably a bit sharp for him," said Moore.

"He's 4lb higher than when he won this last year. He's had the benefit of that run and I couldn't be happier with the way he's training.

"We’d have liked the ground to be a bit softer but you can’t have everything and I’m expecting a good run."

Can Force emerge as a National contender?

Emerging Force could have Aintree on the agendaCredit: Phil Mingo/Pinnacle

Harry Whittington campaigned Emerging Force sparingly during his novice chase campaign, confining him to just four starts.

After winning his first two runs over fences at Hereford and Exeter, he ran well in defeat behind two extremely progressive types in Singlefarmpayment and Sizing Codelco.

Whittington will be among those trainers hoping Ascot avoids too much rain for its first jumps fixture of the campaign, having spared his charge the worst of the winter ground last term between his runs at Cheltenham and Aintree.

"He's definitely filled out and is in good form," reported Whittington. "He has very good form on the ground we declared on and wouldn’t want an awful lot of rain.

"He's got such a good record fresh that I'd expect him to run a nice race. We’d love to have the National as plan A for the season and so may end up in the Becher, but this is an ideal opportunity for him."

Can Braqueur D'Or continue golden summer form?

Among the most pressing questions for punters as we move into the heart of the jumping season is how to treat horses who have risen up the weights over the summer now they meet better opposition.

Braqueur D'Or has posted three wins from eight starts since moving to Paul Nicholls from Rebecca Curtis in the spring.

The change of air would appear to have done him no end of good and Nicholls believes the handicapper may not have been unduly harsh during a lucrative summer campaign.

He said: "Braqueur D'or has been in great form and has been a massive improver. He was off 109 when he started and is now 139. He went up 10lb for winning the other day but doesn’t know how to run a bad race and hopefully he'll run well again."

Nicholls also saddles Art Mauresque, for whom Bryony Frost takes off 5lb. "We're claiming off him for the first time, which is probably what he wants now, but he's handicapped right up to the limit," he said.

Will Rowe get the run of the green with Dark Flame?

With 18 declared there will be plenty of jockeys hoping to see some daylight at their fences, including Andrew Glassonbury, who gets the leg up on progressive second-season chaser Dark Flame.

Richard Rowe's charge lost his maiden status over hurdles at Ascot in April 2016 and has been placed on both subsequent visits to the track over fences, with the best of his form coming on a decent surface.

"His form is pretty solid and even at Cheltenham he was unlucky because he nearly got wiped out by a horse who ran off the track and then cut back in and distracted him," said Rowe.

"He hasn’t shown any signs of lack of fitness first time out the last two seasons and he gets himself ready nice and early. In an 18-runner field you need some luck, but off his weight and with his form I think he has a live chance."

Can Regal dodge the showers?

Regal Encore was last seen staying on for eighth behind One For Arthur in the Grand National and, in among a couple of pulled-up efforts, also boasted a win over course and distance in a similar race last December.

"They're forecast a bit more rain now – he likes decent ground but unless it's right at the top end of what they're forecast he should be fine," said trainer Anthony Honeyball.

"He can be a bit all-or-nothing, but as long as we get some of the 'all' I don't mind, and he's had the odd bit of bad luck too. He's fit enough to do himself justice."

Nigel Twiston-Davies was in fine form at Cheltenham last weekend and, in Ballykan and Ballycross, has a pair of runners who want opposites in terms of how much rain Ascot receives.

"Ballykan likes the quicker ground and runs well every time," said Twiston-Davies. "He's got a big race in him one day, let's hope it's here.

"Ballycross would prefer it much softer. There's a chance he might not run if the ground remains fastish."

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