2:25 Ascot Tips

The youngest in the field, the five-year-old HONESTY POLICY, makes his seasonal reappearance in what is only his fifth start under rules. Three times a winner over hurdles, this gelding won the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2m4f, Good) at Aintree last season before ending the season a half-length second to the 150-rated Jasmin De Vaux at Punchestown (3m, Yielding). Despite getting caught late on, he saw out the 3-mile trip strongly enough, and he has form on soft ground, suggesting conditions today will be of no issue. The yard is in good form with 9 winners and 6 placed from 38 runners over hurdles in the past 14 days (Strike Rate: 23.68%. Level-stakes profit: +5.52). The top-rated in this race is 156, with the selection rated 145, but on his first season out of novice company he could prove much better than that, and it would be no surprise to see him prove too good against these older rivals.

Has been in good form of late with wins at Aintree and Newbury in November. Should go well in hat-trick attempt and is likely to be there or thereabouts.

Some might be put off by this horse being an 8-year-old, but horses of that age and older have won four of the last six runnings of this race. In any event, he hasn't got many miles on the clock. The horse was beaten just half a length by Impose Toi last time out and gets a 6 lb pull in the weights, so it's perhaps surprising that Impose Toi is around half the price of this one. He's the top-rated in the field too and looks an excellent each-way bet to nothing at 5/1.

With the ground going to be very testing I'm siding with the French raider who has plenty of form in very soft and heavy ground conditions. Last seen mid November at Auteuil finishing a good 2nd of 9 with the form of that race already franked. Interesting connections have booked Harry Cobden and taking all that into account he looks a very nice each way touch.

Potters Charm was one of the best novice hurdlers last season and could be the new kid on the block in an open stayers' division. He was 5th in the Turners at Cheltenham, and that race used to be a good pointer to stayers' hurdle types.

Past winners tend to do well in this race, and this horse won the 2023 and 2024 runnings. He may need to up his game again to win this, but that's possible, given this is likely his season's target and for others a stepping stone to other things. Good each-way prospect, I think.

No comment made

Has had some fine wins with Brian Carver on board but failed when going over a 3-mile trip and then again on the return run. Brian Carver renews the acquaintance, so that may prove vital.

Won the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival and progressed again to place 2nd of 23 at Punchestown after that. RPRs again improved in two Grade 2s since and fully deserves an attempt at Grade 1. Can go close with fitness assured after two runs last month.