'No reason why he can't put up another good show' - key handicap chase quotes

Saturday: 2.55 Ascot
bet365 Handicap Chase | 2m5f | 5yo+ | ITV4/Sky

Cyrname and Dashel Drasher have carried 11st 10lb to victory in this race in two of the last three years and both went on to land the Grade 1 Ascot Chase over the same course and distance next time out. So is there another top-class horse in this year's race?

There might just be because Fanion D'Estruval will race off a higher BHA rating than both of those winners, and not just a little higher. He is rated 7lb better than Dashel Drasher was before his success and 9lb higher than Cyrname. That's why he has to carry 2lb more at 11st 12lb.

Fanion D'Estruval has already run in two Grade 1s. He was fourth in the Clarence House on this card last year and fifth in the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival, but he has improved since then according to Racing Post Ratings and was better than ever at Newbury last time.

An RPR of 164 for that latest victory in handicap company puts Fanion D'Estruval only 5lb behind the RPR that Dashel Drasher achieved when winning last year's Ascot Chase and this year's running of that race won't be much stronger. That suggests Fanion D'Estruval won't have that much to find should connections opt to take the same route as last year's winner.

Fanion D'Estruval is so far clear of his rivals on BHA ratings that the next in the weights, Palmers Hill, would be receiving 17lb if the topweight wasn’t partnered by a 7lb claimer.

Lucy Turner's allowance will prove valuable for Fanion D'Estruval, but Palmers Hill stormed away with a handicap chase at the track last month and is the best handicapped of the pair on RPRs.

Paul Nicholls, who saddled Cyrname, has won this three times from eight runners in the last ten years and relies on Amour De Nuit, but maybe it's a Nicholls disciple who will provide the biggest danger to the market leaders because Harry Fry won it with Acting Lass four years ago and has run only two in it in recent years. Phoenix Way is his representative.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Syder hoping for more Saturday success

There cannot be many owners enjoying going racing as much as Tim Syder this winter and the Emma Lavelle-trained Killer Clown could provide him with another big Saturday success.

Eclair Surf, who he owns with Newbury chairman Dominic Burke, landed Warwick's Classic Chase last weekend and Syder celebrated his first treble on Wednesday courtesy of Newbury scorers Speech Bubble and Voice Of Calm and Plumpton winner Young Butler.

Killer Crown posted a career-best performance when a comfortable winner at Wincanton this month and bids to defy a 7lb rise under Tom Bellamy, with Lavelle boasting a 42 per cent strike-rate (10-24) with Syder's runners this term.

Killer Clown: easy winner at Wincanton last timeCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Syder, who heads to Taunton to watch three runners while his wife Charlotte and family are in attendance at Ascot, said: "I'd have preferred if it was three weeks rather than two since his last run but Emma says he's absolutely bouncing and she rides him at home.

"There's no reason why he can't put up another good show. The ground and track should suit and I still think he's on a fair mark.

"I know our great run will end at some point, so we've got to go out there and enjoy it. If I have a runner at the moment, I've got to go and watch them."

What they say

Venetia Williams, trainer of Fanion D’Estruval
He has a lot of weight to give away and isn't the biggest, but we're using Lucy Turner's 7lb claim, which is helpful. I hope he'll run well.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Amour De Nuit
He won well at Musselburgh but has gone up 7lb and this is a tougher race. He has it all to do.

Harry Fry, trainer of Phoenix Way
He ran really well there last time and dropping back in trip shouldn't be a problem. I'm hopeful he can run another good race.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Knight In Dubai
I've always had this race in mind for him. A little bit further than last time is definitely a step in the right direction.
Reporting by Jack Haynes

Saturday's race previews:

1.25 Haydock: Jonbon 'in great form' ahead of Supreme prep run but will he justify the hype?

1.40 Navan: Gordon Elliott urges Tiger Roll caution as road to Cheltenham continues

1.45 Ascot: 'If he can build on his last run he's got a great each-way chance'

2.00 Haydock: are Grade 1 ambitions justified for improving Tommy's Oscar?

2.35 Haydock: can Royale Pagaille defy huge weight concessions to defend Peter Marsh crown?

3.35 Ascot: Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins on Saturday's big Clarence House clash

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