2:35 Ascot Tips

The Dan Skelton-trained Fortune de Mer was seen last month winning a Grade Two novice hurdle at Cheltenham. Starts life off in handicap company today, again partnered by Harry Skelton. Providing he can reproduce his Cheltenham form, then today's opening handicap mark might well be low enough for Fortune de Mer to get the win.

Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies are enjoying a very successful beginning to their training partnership, as their 25% strike rate in the last two weeks demonstrates. They can continue that good run here with Moveit Like Minnie, who finished third over this C&D behind Alexei, who has since won twice, including the Greatwood off a seven lb higher mark. Despite this being his 25th run over hurdles, and the fact he is up against an extremely unexposed favourite in Fortune De Mer, I think he has a great chance this afternoon.

Lightly raced 5yo. Back from a six month break with an easy 4L handicap hurdle win five weeks ago, with the third 11L behind. Good jockey Ben Jones was in the saddle that day and he takes the ride again. I’m sure he would have saved plenty in the tank when winning that day and a 5lb higher mark might not stop him following up in this handicap.

It was probably a fairly weak maiden hurdle that Poet Laureate won at Plumpton last time, but this former Irish pointer could not have done it more easily, making all by 21 lengths. As he jumped to the right at Plumpton, a right-handed track like Kempton should suit him better. The handicapper may have been more generous to Fortune De Mer, who won at Cheltenham, but it remains to be seen if he is as good away from Cheltenham.