'I think he's got a right squeak' - which trainer fancies his chances against Johnnywho in the Grade 2 novice chase at Ascot?

Jumping usually wins the day no matter the discipline, but accuracy, fluency and limited mistakes are imperative in novice chases at Ascot.

Mark Of Gold is the sole chasing newcomer in the field. His rating of 142 entitles him to plenty of respect, but he's not really bred for the job and is far more exposed over hurdles than any of his three rivals. Even if his jumping is spot on, he'll likely find this a touch beyond him.

Best off at these weights is Johnnywho, who was a well-beaten third behind The Jukebox Man in a typically strong contest at Newbury last time, when pecking on landing three out certainly didn't aid his cause.

This probably is not as hot a contest as last time and he is a deserved favourite, having run out an impressive winner on his chasing debut at Carlisle. That form received a boost when the third Cherie D'Am comfortably landed a Listed mares' event last week.

Johnnywho is held in high regard and is unbeaten on right-handed courses, but he's always struck me as one who would thrive over further and may find things happening too quickly in this sort of class, as looked the case at Newbury.

However, this sort of trip could bring out the best in Personal Ambition, who got the better of last week's impressive Cheltenham winner Jango Baie in a Grade 2 hurdle at Kelso in March.

He is rated 12lb lower than Johnnywho, but he has run well in two chases over around two miles, form that looks solid. He could have untapped potential over this 2m3f trip, while going this way round should help as he jumped out to his right at Newbury last time.

Rare Edition produced a neat round of jumping when seeing off subsequent winner Rambo T in a Uttoxeter novice chase in October and gained good course experience here last month, although he was seen off comfortably enough by one who failed to follow up. He'll need to improve on that here.
Analysis by Harry Wilson

'Hopefully he'll continue improving' - Johnnywho bids for Graded breakthrough

Johnnywho proved no match for The Jukebox Man when bidding for a first Graded success at Newbury last month, but Jonjo and AJ O'Neill will hope he can make the breakthrough here.

This will be his fifth start at Graded level, having been ambitiously campaigned as a novice hurdler last season, while a small field proved no issue when JP McManus's seven-year-old jumped well when making a winning chase debut at Carlisle in October. 

That made him three from three going right-handed, although joint-trainer AJ O'Neill warned that was not integral to him.

"Whether it's clockwise or counter-clockwise doesn't seem to make much of a difference," he said. "Those were the opportunities and I think it's just worked out that way.

"He was good at Carlisle and we were happy with him, but he was well beaten by the impressive The Jukebox Man at Newbury. He's in grand form at home and is very straightforward. He jumps nicely and hopefully he'll continue improving."

What they say

Gary Moore, joint-trainer of Mark Of Gold
He's schooled well at home but he'll need to be good as it's not an easy course to jump round. He ran well over hurdles last time at Plumpton, but this is a different test.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Personal Ambition
I think he's got a right squeak. He's in good shape and I think the form of his last run at Newbury will work out well. He'll be suited by going right-handed and this trip should be spot on. I'm very pleased with him – his work and schooling have been great.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Rare Edition
Johnnywho is the form horse, but we've got Graded form as well and I think he'll be a better chaser than hurdler. I'd like to think he'll be knocking on the door at least. We were second giving 16lb to one of Venetia's [Williams, Bucksy Des Epeires] last time and that was a solid run.
Reporting by James Stevens

Read more on Friday's racing:

'He's improving all the time' - Double Powerful faces stiff competition as he bids for a seven-timer at Ascot   

Three things to note on Friday – Chris Cook takes a look at the day's action   

Cheltenham winner makes hurdling debut and daughter of Justify bids to remain unbeaten - Friday's punting pointers  

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