Might I set for Noel joy

By Tony Kelshaw

Might I offers the most appeal from a small but select field for the Grade 2 Howden Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot.

Harry Fry’s charge was a smart novice hurdler a couple of seasons ago, beating Thunder Rock by 11 lengths at Newton Abbot before actually being sent off favourite against Constitution Hill at Sandown.

He obviously had to settle for second best that day but went on to also be placed behind Jonbon at Haydock and in Grade One company at Aintree.

The seven-year-old’s second term over timber was a bit of a stop-start affair punctuated by minor setbacks, but closing with a fine fourth of 21 to Iroko at the Cheltenham Festival marked him down as a hot prospect again for when put over fences.

Might I paid the price for some sloppy jumping when second to Complete Unknown on his chasing debut at Newton Abbot but enjoyed a confidence-boosting victory in an Exeter match after his sole opponent was pulled up.

Fry has admitted the gelding will need to be more fluent over fences if he is to fulfil his potential, but this is a good chance to show just how far he can go.

Paddy Power Gold Cup fifth Unexpected Party is coming off a couple of hard races in relatively quick succession, while recent winners Djelo and Kandoo Kid have a bit to find on hurdles ratings.

Some promising big-money buys will go to post in the Howden Maiden Hurdle but Welcom To Cartries has the best form in the book and will take some stopping.

Last December’s impressive Irish point-to-point winner started out under rules by going down narrowly to Beat The Bat after a ding-dong battle up the home straight at this course.

That pair pulled 15 lengths clear of the third and the winner went on to be a rock-solid second to Dysart Enos at Cheltenham next time out.

Homme Public has taken well to jumping fences and can defy top weight in the Howden Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Although fortunate to win an Arkle trial at Cheltenham following the departure of JPR One, that was still a commendable effort, while a previous Wetherby victory over Geromino has worked out well.

Poncho has taken a tumble in his last couple of races but Gary Moore’s five-year-old can hopefully get back on track in the WB Wealth Handicap Hurdle.

The son of Motivator produced two nice performances as a novice last term and looks the type to enjoy lying handy and quickening up off a strong pace, which he should get here.

Ascot’s action finishes off with a red-hot bumper packed full of previous winners and Let It Rain may take advantage of a 7lb allowance given out to fillies and mares in the Thames Materials Open National Hunt Flat Race.

Dan Skelton’s charge justified some strong support when powering home by eight lengths on her racecourse bow at Warwick and has plenty of scope for improvement.

At Uttoxeter, Itsnoteasy can make it third time lucky under rules in the Richard Winterton Auctioneers Maiden Hurdle.

The five-year-old fetched £100,000 after landing an Irish point-to-point and showed the benefit of an October blow-out when going down by just a neck to the well-backed Ten Lengths Tom at this venue.

Aqwaam stands out on Southwell’s all-weather Flat card in the Find More Big Deals At BetUK Handicap after following up wins at Chelmsford and Newcastle with an honest second at this circuit.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

UTTOXETER: Race 1: 14.00 Endless Supply, Race 2: 14.30 Itsnoteasy, Race 3: 15.05 Jack
Sprat, Race 4: 15.40 Desque De L'Isle, Race 5: 16.15 Tara Cove, Race 6: 16.50 Breeze Of
Wind, Race 7: 17.25 Damarta.

ASCOT: Race 1: 14.45 Immortal Fame, Race 2: 15.20 Welcom To Cartries, Race 3: 15.55
Homme Public, Race 4: 16.30 Poncho, Race 5: 17.05 MIGHT I (NAP), Race 6: 17.40 Let It
Rain.

SOUTHWELL: Race 1: 16.07 Blackcurrent, Race 2: 16.42 Aqwaam, Race 3: 17.17 Badosa,
Race 4: 17.50 Stone Of Destiny, Race 5: 18.20 Sycamore, Race 6: 18.50 Night On Earth, Race
7: 19.25 Arika, Race 8: 19.55 Little Red Dancer.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 19.15 Juan Solo, Race 2: 19.45 El Bufalo, Race 3: 20.15
Buccabay, Race 4: 20.45 Lumiere D'Or, Race 5: 21.15 Smoky Mountain, Race 6: 21.45 Aussi
Mandate, Race 7: 22.15 Hale End.

ALL TO COME: Welcom To Cartries and Might I (Ascot, Races 2 and 5).

For fields, betting and more information go to www.tab4Racing.com