Montroe can ruin a potentially good handicap mark but pick up some decent prize money by landing the £16,000 added Tote Exacta 1-2 Handicap Chase at Ascot today.
Richard Rowe's charge could prove to be favourably-treated over fences given both his highclass form over hurdles and the fact that progeny of Roselier always prove to be capable over fences when their stamina can come into play. So this step up to an extended three miles should also suit.
The combined effect of being raised 6lb for a Cheltenham win on his latest start and racing from 8lb out of the handicap mean that Montroe must race off a mark a stone higher than that from which he scored last month. But a good price could well be on offer about him and he can land the nap.
The Rosling King Hurdle is something of a puzzler, but it may go to Country Beau. Jeff King's eight-year-old tackled the three-mile trip for the first time in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last month and gave a good account of himself to finish a four-length second to Effectual.
Banker Count can make the long journey south from Mick Easterby's yard pay dividends by taking the Racing Channel Handicap Chase. Easterby's excursions south rarely go unrewarded and the booking of one A P McCoy can only enhance confidence.
