Ideal opportunity for an Ascot winner

Ideal Des Bordes can make a winning start over obstacles in the Ascot Partners "National Hunt" Maiden Hurdle at the Berkshire track on Friday.

The five-year-old won a 4800m Quakerstown point-to-point last December before joining Nicky Henderson to start his career under rules at Warwick back in May.

Sent off the 11-10 favourite, Ideal Des Bordes seemingly found the 3200m trip a bit on the short side as he had to settle for a length-and-a-half third behind a lesser-fancied stablemate.

However, there was plenty of promise in that performance and moved up to just short of 4000m here for his hurdles bow Ideal Des Bordes should find the distance more to his liking.

Henderson's string are in flying form and there is bound to be plenty of interest as Doddiethegreat returns in the Give The Gift Of Ascot Membership "Introductory" Hurdle.

The seven-year-old is unbeaten in three starts to date, winning two bumpers in the 2020-21 season before delivering a thoroughly impressive hurdles success in November 2021, hosing up by 22 lengths in an average event at Kempton.

Doddiethegreat suffered an injury in the course of that victory and has not run since, so while his fitness after a 746-day absence must be taken on trust, his ability is not in doubt.

Gin Coco is another who seemingly saves his best for quicker conditions and he is the pick in the Garden For All Seasons Handicap Hurdle.

The ground was probably a touch too soft on his return in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las and easy conditions saw him bypass the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last week - a race in which he finished second last year.

He is just 1kg higher now and in a lesser heat, Gin Coco could take some beating.

Mackenberg can make the long hike south pay dividends in the S.A.F.E. Handicap Chase.

Trained in Cheshire by Donald McCain, the eight-year-old was beaten just a short head on his seasonal bow at Wetherby last month, facing something of an impossible task in conceding 9kg to Getaway Luv in the Bobby Renton.

He was raised a further 0.5kg for that effort but he has won off slightly higher in the past and will relish the likely good ground.

McCain should also be on the mark at Catterick with Union Flag.

A 25,000 euro purchase in October after failing to strike in 11 starts for Noel Meade, he offered an immediate return with a six-length strike at Musselburgh earlier in the month and the Best Odds Guaranteed At Vickers.Bet Juvenile Hurdle offers a good follow-up opportunity.

Sea Regal hails from a family of winners and can make a perfect start in the second division of the BetMGM: It's Showtime Fillies' Novice Stakes at Southwell, while Ask Brewster can step up on his first hurdles attempt in the Vickers.Bet Maiden Hurdle at Chepstow. - Press Association

TAB offers betting on 4 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

CATTERICK: Race 1: 14.05 Could Be Trouble, Race 2: 14.40 Union Flag, Race 3: 15.15 Take Centre Stage, Race 4: 15.50 Hello Judge, Race 5: 16.25 Bugise Seagull, Race 6: 17.00 Court At Slip, Race 7: 17.35 Gwash.

ASCOT: Race 1: 14.15 IDEAL DES BORDES (NAP), Race 2: 14.50 Monviel, Race 3: 15.25 Doddiethegreat, Race 4: 16.00 Mackenberg, Race 5: 16.35 Gin Coco, Race 6: 17.10 Manothepeople, Race 7: 17.45 Duke Of Deception.

CHEPSTOW: Race 1: 14.30 Ask Brewster, Race 2: 15.05 Mr Grey Sky, Race 3: 15.40 Nedzor, Race 4: 16.15 Secret Plan, Race 5: 16.50 Kym Eyre, Race 6: 17.25 Bobo Mac, Race 7: 17.55 Highlands Legacy.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 18.15 Mark's Choice, Race 2: 18.45 Arts Of War, Race 3: 19.15 Sea Regal, Race 4: 19.45 Abbey Gardens, Race 5: 20.15 Power Of Darkness, Race 6: 20.45 Art Fantastique, Race 7: 21.15 Cubanista, Race 8: 21.45 Bright, Race 9: 22.15 Eagle's Realm.

ALL TO COME: Ideal Des Bordes and Mackenberg (Ascot, Races 1 and 4).