'He could be a bit better than a handicapper' - can Fiddlerontheroof come good?

Saturday: 2.25 Ascot
greatbritishstallionshowcase.co.uk Swinley Chase (Listed) | 3m | 5yo+ | ITV/SKY

Out of nowhere, a race that some might have taken as a veterans' handicap going by its roll call could have a bearing on this year's Gold Cup, Grand National, or both.

That hinges mostly on Fiddlerontheroof, who will be seen for the first time since finishing a clear second to Cloudy Glen in the Ladbrokes Trophy.

He was a divisive horse last season, a serial non-winner, but the combination of breathing measures (he had surgery and now wears a tongue-tie) and improved fortunes of the Tizzard stable, mean he is now realising his potential.

Winning off his mark of 155 would in theory set up a Gold Cup bid, but it would be worth considering what resistance this field offers. A number are either working their way to a more pressing target (Truckers Lodge, Caribean Boy), or trying to discover some of their old spark (Regal Encore and his erstwhile stablemate Sojourn).

Note also that Sojourn and Ask Me Early are doubly declared with the 4.33 at Wincanton.

Ask Me Early is the only one of Fiddlerontheroof's rivals who would appear the right side of the 20s bar in something like a Ladbrokes Trophy.

In spots he has looked the type to land a big staying pot, but he fluffed his lines on his only try to date when favourite for last year's Masters at Sandown. He has earned another crack with three wins since, the last two in novice hurdles.

Larry was something of a fortunate winner of a strongly run race here in October, but is at least back to the same sort of mark.

Cobolobo was unlucky here last time. He would have won had he not missed the last, but he is now 7lb higher. The talented Hold That Taught rounds off the field and is out of the weights and liable to take a few liberties with his jumping.

In short, this year's field is broadly in line with the usual for the race, with a sprinkling of major interest in the form of Fiddlerontheroof and Ask Me Early. If the former can beat the latter hands down, maybe that Gold Cup tilt would not be so fanciful after all.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

What they say

Colin Tizzard, trainer of Fiddlerontheroof
After he finished second in the Ladbrokes Trophy we didn't want to blow his mark for the Grand National, so we held him back. The reason he hasn't run since has purely been about protecting his mark. He's got top weight, but we need to find out how good he is. He could be a bit better than a handicapper.

Henry Daly, trainer of Fortescue
We didn't want to run him over 3m4f on heavy ground at Haydock. Three miles on soft at Ascot should be okay. He ran nicely last time at Haydock.

Anthony Honeyball, trainer of Regal Encore
He's had a wind operation since his last run. He's slipped down to a mark of 140 and the ground will be to his liking. His third there first time out means he's still got recent course form. We're very happy with him and we hope he'll be in the mix.

Harry Fry, trainer of Ask Me Early
He'll only run at Ascot if Wincanton happened to be off. We weren't able to run in the Welsh National after he took a horrible schooling fall at home. His aim is the Midlands National and hopefully Wincanton will be a stepping stone to that.

Gary Moore, trainer of Larry
He'll run his race. He's got no weight and could have every chance.

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Cobolobo
He ran a cracker over this course and distance last month, I was delighted with him and I hope he can do the same.

Charlie Deutsch, rider of Hold That Taught
I didn't think the ground was that testing at Lingfield last time – I'd have liked it softer. He wants heavy ground and ran okay last time, having had a hard race in the Welsh National. I wouldn't read too much into his Lingfield run, but he wants a proper test.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Truckers Lodge
Three miles is sharp enough for him, but if it rained all day it would give him a little chance. This is really another opportunity to give him a run en route to the Midlands National at Uttoxeter in March.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Read more previews:

1.50 Ascot: National Hunt Chase credentials on the line as Does He Know bids for Grade 2 win

2.05 Haydock: Olly Murphy 'can't be sure' if well-fancied Thomas Darby will handle the ground

2.20 Gowran Park: Triumph Hurdle hero Quilixios out to earn spot in Champion Hurdle line-up

2.40 Haydock: Well-treated Sam Brown near-perfect at Haydock and has more improvement in him

3.20 Wincanton: 'Lots of people have doubted him, but I haven't. I know he's a good horse'

3.30 Gowran Park: Melon might never get a better chance to add another win to his impressive CV

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