Most of the six-runner field turn up for Ascot's Racing To School Veterans' Handicap Chase (15:55) on Sunday, which is effectively quite a compressed handicap.
One of those who was a little off colour last time was Minella Encore but I'm taking him to bounce back under Sam Twiston-Davies. His form figures for his last four starts read 1P1P. Those two wins were over 3m at Fakenham (good) last October and 3m1½f (good to soft; first-time blinkers) at Ludlow in December.
I wouldn't worry too much about his latest run in Warwick's Classic Chase. He was a 20/1 chance for that, where he was pulled up on the soft ground after his jockey reported he 'made a noise'.
We know that usually results in wind surgery and Dr Richard Newland has had that sorted, plus given him about 10-weeks off. If that has worked, then from a mark of 135, he looks well treated on that Ludlow winning form and I'm taking him to bounce back and score. Good luck!
