National Hunt action returns to Ascot races on Saturday, 1 November with competitive jumps handicaps forming the bulk of the card. Headlining this fixture in Berkshire is the Sodexo Gold Cup over almost three miles and the course’s steeplechase fences.
It has Premier Handicap status, alongside an extended two-mile chase, which similarly attracts some regulars at the track. Over the smaller obstacles, meanwhile, the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle is the pick of three events in that sphere. Supporting these are a novices’ limited handicap chase and a novice hurdle.
As ever at this iconic sporting venue, decent prize money stumped up by Ascot races ensures some good fields. While there are some old favourites running, fresh faces join them. Balancing those with course form with newcomers that still have improvement in them is bread and butter for our experts.
They weigh up past performances and potential further progress runners could make, then look at the odds on top horse racing betting sites in the UK in search of value. We know that’s what every punter wants, so let us help you narrow the fields in Berkshire. Here are our experts’ Saturday selections from the main card…
Ascot Races Preview for Saturday, 1 November
1:30 – 2m 2f 181y Class 3 Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
It’s French import LYLIAN, only 2lb out of the handicap (his opening mark from the BHA assessor is a bit of a guess anyway), who appeals most for Gary & Josh Moore. This four-year-old Tunis gelding has experience of fences from his time across the Channel with a win over further and close second at an extended 2m 1f last time.
Lylian could make a successful UK bow for his new connections getting weight all-round. Don’t Tell Su has also switched stables, but from Nicholls to Nicky Henderson and needs marked improvement from his chasing debut in the spring now at his new local course.
2:05 – 2m 172y Premier Handicap Chase
The Jumps Season is back at Ascot, and our Fireworks Spectacular is set to dazzle this Saturday! But before the action kicks off, let’s relive MARTATOR’s unforgettable triumph in the Byrne Group Handicap Chase! pic.twitter.com/uRp5UrFB9d
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) October 27, 2025
It’ll be some weight carrying performance if Harry Fry veteran Boothill, who won this in 2023, rolls back the years and defies his welter burden. Dan Skelton’s L’Eau Du Sud is a Grade 1 novice chaser from last season going this way round, but similarly doesn’t look chucked in. Another regular at Ascot races could be the answer in last year’s winner MARTATOR.
Venetia Williams’ charge held off re-opposing runner-up Issar D’Airy 12 months ago and followed-up in the Hurst Park here. Martator is three from three over course and distance. Off just 1lb above his last winning mark when stable conditional Ned Fox steered him to victory, and he again rides taking 5lb off with his claim, this combination can go in again.
Irish raider Special Cadeau hasn’t reproduced his successful 66/1 chasing debut since for Henry De Bromhead, but now runs in a handicap over fences for the first time. Plenty of these make their reappearance, but Skelton second string Shakeyatailfeather is fit after scoring at Kelso and her Cheltenham form from the spring has been franked.
2:35 – 1m 7f 157y Class 3 Novice Hurdle
Henderson recruit Soomaroy doesn’t bring a strong Irish Point to the table for his Rules, hurdling and British bow, so value lies elsewhere. Fellow four-year-old TRUSTINTIMES has a double penalty for Fry but, with the form of both Uttoxeter wins franked, could complete a hat-trick in this sphere at Ascot races.
Also penalised here are Fergal O’Brien runner Start Again, who jumped well when making all over further around Exeter, and Harry Derham’s Military Alliance, just doing enough to score by a neck last time. Ice In The Veins must avenge two odds-on defeats for the Skelton stable, meanwhile.
3:10 -1m 7f 157y Class 2 Lavazza Handicap Hurdle
Welsh Champion Hurdle runner-up Alexei looks the obvious one in a bid to go one better for Joe Tizzard. He should strip fitter for that Chepstow reappearance at Ascot races, but online bookmakers took most of the juice out of his price compared to the ante post market. An improving type who appeals each-way instead is Emma Lavelle’s INDEMNITY.
Since finishing a seven-length third to subsequent Aintree Premier Handicap scorer and now 133-rated Wellington Arch, this five-year-old has hit a hat-trick. Indemnity could still be well-treated off a mark of 121, given the exploits of the winner. Much of the opposition is tricky to catch right, especially Nicholls pair Afadil and Fasol.
Derham seems to train Washington for the Chepstow seniors race each autumn, meanwhile. Following-up on a second win there cannot be taken for granted against younger legs. Anthony Honeyball has an interesting runner in Swinton fifth Dance And Glance, who has had a recent run. Torrent is a frustrating horse to follow for Nigel Hawke, but often finishes placed and could so again at a big price.
3:45 – 2m 7f 185y Sodexo Gold Cup Premier Handicap Chase
Chianti Classico cruises to victory in the Sodexo Live! Gold Cup Handicap Chase 👏#ITVRacing | @Ascot pic.twitter.com/GsurMuHfbE
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 2, 2024
Marble Sands struck this time last season and, with the benefit of a spin on the Flat under his belt, should go well. The last two winners of the Reynoldstown, a Grade 2 novice chase over course and distance, take their chances. Henry’s Friend looks high enough in the weights, but The Changing Man placed in a number of Premier Handicaps either side of February success.
The issue with backing Tizzard’s charge on that run is the race fell apart, and he’s often found one too good. Kerry National fourth Le Coq Hardi has seen the runner-up and third win big handicaps since Listowel’s Harvest Festival, so may have less on his plate coming over from Ireland with 3lb claimer Mike O’Connor offsetting most of a 4lb rise from the assessor.
