The Gray Ghost
The novices' handicap chase at Ascot on Saturday is often an interesting race. It was only a three-horse race last year, but it was won by No Questions Asked, who went on to win the Grade 2 Lightning Novices' Chase at Windsor and to go off as 9/1 joint fourth favourite for the Plate at Cheltenham, and he was chased home by Viroflay, who won a good handicap chase at Kempton last Christmas, and who won the Sodexo Live! Handicap Chase at Ascot later on Saturday. It may be worthwhile monitoring the protagonists from this year's renewal too as we move through the season, the first four home all put up performances that were worthy of note for different reasons but, of the four, it is the winner The Gray Ghost who is most interesting. True, he raced prominently from early, he led the main group of four behind breakaway leader Glynn Brae, and he moved easily into the lead as they raced into Swinley Bottom final time, and the early pace was not strong, as evidenced by his finishing speed of over 108% of overall speed. But there was a lot to like about the performance that he put up, he travelled well in front for Charlie Price, he jumped well and he picked up nicely off that moderate pace. He was obviously well positioned, but he was still fastest through each of the last two furlongs, 0.4secs faster than the next fastest.
Rated 120 over hurdles and looking fairly well exposed in that discipline, Robbie Llewellyn's horse has already reached a higher level after just two runs over fences. He finished second in a three-horse race on his chasing bow at Uttoxeter in early October behind the 137-rated Country Mile, nine lengths clear of another 137-rated horse in O'Moore Park, who improved on that performance when he won a novices' handicap chase next time at Cheltenham's October meeting. His jumping was better at Ascot on Saturday than it had been at Uttoxeter, and he probably appreciated the step up from two miles to two miles and three furlongs. A 5lb hike for this win was not harsh, and he will be of interest now wherever he goes off his new mark of 125. He still has the potential to go a fair bit higher. He obviously goes well on this good ground, but he won't mind if and when the ground eases a little.
Ascot, 31st October 2026
Back