Nico de Boinville: “He showed he had the grit to go with his class when winning the Clarence House here last time.”

2.25pm Ascot

Kateira

She didn’t run up to her best over 2m at Musselburgh last time, top weight is going to make it tough for her here and she could probably do with better ground. But her Graded form probably justifies her current mark and she has run well on both her starts here and the step back up in trip will suit, so hopefully she can give a good account of herself.

3.35pm Ascot

Jonbon

Edwardstone was back to winning ways last time and he has to be respected, but I suppose most will view this as a match between ourselves and last year’s winner Pic D’orhy. Jonbon showed once again he had the grit to go with his class when winning the Clarence House over 2m1f here last time and you have to think going up to 2m5f here will suit him. After all, the two times he has raced over 2m4f he has won 2m4f Melling Chases. Obviously, we are very hopeful but Pic D’orhy is a serious opponent if at his best.

4.10pm Ascot

Crazierthandaisy

I’d like to think she has a decent chance in what is clearly a very competitive handicap. She will like the ground and she did well to finish fourth at Newbury last time, a race in which she met the last wrong, which didn’t aid her cause at all. There is hopefully more to come from her.