Ascot, Saturday 31 October 2026
Saturday, 31 October 2026. Ascot's first jumps meeting of the season, with the Regal Encore Handicap Chase, a Premier Handicap, at 2.33pm.
Our view on every race on Saturday's card at Ascot, built on the form, the official ratings, Racing Post Ratings (RPR) and Topspeed figures, and the prices. In the handicaps, the RPRs are Racing Post's figures adjusted for the weights each horse carries, so the highest number is the best-treated on the day.
Also that day: Breeders' Cup 2026 guide · Down Royal Champion Chase 2026 guide · Charlie Hall Chase 2026 guide
Our view on every race
How we read a race. Form and ratings first, then the trip, the ground, course form, the draw and the likely pace, then the race's own trends. Only then the price: a horse can be the most likely winner and still not be worth backing.
What our own record tells us. Every tip we've given is on our results page, so we can see where we're good and where we're not. By advised price: odds-on to evens −5.3% (33 winners from 69); evens to 3/1 +4.4% (131 winners from 371); 3/1 to 6/1 +10.9% (24 winners from 117); 6/1 to 10/1 +32.7% (7 winners from 53); over 10/1 −46.1% (1 winner from 36). So we're wary of short-priced favourites with questions to answer, and of big outsiders.
12.50 Novices' Handicap Hurdle (2m3f, 9 runners)
A modest race. We want a horse running well off a fair mark.
Media Mogul
2nd of 15 in a novices' handicap final at Worcester last month, and only 3lb higher. Won a maiden hurdle at Worcester in June. David Bass rides for Tom Dascombe.
Fidendum
Won at Market Rasen in July and was 2nd at Perth in August. Against him: 77 days off.
- Handmedownastar (4/1) was pulled up in the Persian War at Chepstow last time.
Prices from the Sporting Life racecard at about noon on Friday, so check before you bet.
1.25 Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2m3f, 5 runners)
Two have shown they can jump a fence; two come from hurdles.
Jet To Vegas
Won over fences at Market Rasen on 26 September, and has the best Topspeed figure here (138). Mr Lucas Murphy rides.
The Gray Ghost
Top on Racing Post's figures at the weights (150), with bottom weight, and was 2nd in a beginners' chase at Uttoxeter this month.
- Glynn Brae (4/1) and Dance And Glance (5/2) come from hurdles: neither has run over fences in their last three races.
Prices from the Sporting Life racecard at about noon on Friday, so check before you bet.
2.00 Handicap Chase (2m, 12 runners)
Course form matters at Ascot, and two of these have won over this course and distance.
Vanderpoel
Won over this course and distance in December, then again at Sandown in January. 7th in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival. One of the best Topspeed figures here (142). Callum Pritchard rides for Ben Pauling.
Haas Boy
Won over this course and distance in March, and was 2nd over hurdles at Chepstow 20 days ago, so he's fit. Near the bottom of the weights (10-4).
Brookie
The best Topspeed figure in the race (145), and 11lb lower than when he ran in the Champion Chase in March. Against him: fell in the Celebration Chase last time, 189 days ago. With 12 runners, bookmakers pay three places.
- Martator (7/1) won the Grand Annual at 66/1, but he's 5lb higher, carries top weight, and hasn't run for 234 days.
Prices from the Sporting Life racecard at about noon on Friday, so check before you bet.
2.33 Regal Encore Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 3m, 10 runners)
An open handicap. We want proven form in a big handicap, and a horse who stays.
Queensbury Boy
Won the Summer Plate, a Premier Handicap at Market Rasen, in July, and is only 4lb higher. Among the best on Racing Post's figures at the weights (149). Brendan Powell rides. Against him: 105 days off.
Transmission
Stays well: 3rd in the Sussex National over 3m4½f in April. Joint-best Topspeed figure here (142). Had a run over hurdles at Market Rasen two weeks ago, though he was last of five. With ten runners, bookmakers pay three places.
Califet En Vol
The favourite, joint-best on Topspeed (142), and won a handicap at Kempton in February. Against him: beaten at 5/6 at Kempton and 7th at Ayr since. Nico de Boinville rides for Nicky Henderson.
- Henry's Friend (7/1) is top on Racing Post's figures at the weights (152), but was pulled up in the bet365 Gold Cup last time and has the lowest Topspeed figure in the race (125).
- Tapley (10/1) has won his last two, beating Palamon at Plumpton on 19 October, but both wins were at 2m3f and this is about three miles.
Prices from the Sporting Life racecard at about noon on Friday, so check before you bet.
3.10 Novices' Hurdle (2m, 5 runners)
Only one of the five has won over hurdles.
Babs
The only hurdles winner in the field: won her last two, at Worcester in June and Newton Abbot in September. Kielan Woods rides for Henry Oliver.
Sportingsilvermine
The favourite, on his hurdling debut for James Owen. A Flat handicapper rated in the low 90s, 4th at Newmarket this month.
Prices from the Sporting Life racecard at about noon on Friday, so check before you bet.
3.43 Handicap Hurdle (2m, 16 runners)
A big field, with four places paid each way. We want consistency at a price.
Morning Mayhem
2nd in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow on 9 October, ahead of Gibbs Island, Hamlet's Night and Filibustering, and 2nd at Market Rasen before that. One of the best Topspeed figures here (135). Against him: a quick return after running at Cheltenham eight days ago.
Williethebuilder
Won at Sedgefield on 18 October and is 6lb higher, with top weight. Toby McCain-Mitchell rides for Christian Williams.
Moveit Like Minnie
The best Topspeed figure in the race (136), and 2nd at Hexham last time. Nico de Boinville rides.
- Zillow (50/1) tops Racing Post's adjusted figures but has shown little in his recent runs.
Prices from the Sporting Life racecard at about noon on Friday, so check before you bet.
4.15 Open NH Flat Race (2m, 9 runners)
Mostly unexposed four-year-olds, so the figures are thin.
Saint Argente
Won his only race, a junior bumper at Warwick in March, and has the best Racing Post figures here. Sam Twiston-Davies rides for Warren Greatrex.
Lord Churchill
Won his only race, at Wincanton in April. Tom Cannon rides.
Prices from the Sporting Life racecard at about noon on Friday, so check before you bet.
This is our reading of the races, not bets on our record. Our bets, with prices and stakes, go to members on the day and onto the results page, winners and losers. Prices move, so check before you bet. 18+, please gamble responsibly.
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| Date | Saturday 31 October 2026 (first race 12.50pm) |
|---|---|
| Course | Ascot |
| Feature | Regal Encore Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap), about 3m, 2.33pm |
| Going | Chase course: good, good to firm in places. Hurdle course: good to firm, good in places (Friday) |
The card
| Time | Race | Distance | Runners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.50 | Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) | 2m3f | 9 |
| 1.25 | Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Class 3) | 2m3f | 5 |
| 2.00 | Handicap Chase (Class 2) | 2m | 12 |
| 2.33 | Regal Encore Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) | 3m | 10 |
| 3.10 | Novices' Hurdle (Class 3) | 2m | 5 |
| 3.43 | Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) | 2m | 16 |
| 4.15 | Open NH Flat Race (Class 2) | 2m | 9 |
- Ascot's jumps season runs from now until the spring, with the Betfair Ascot Chase in February.
- Racing Post's adjusted figures from the declared weights on Friday morning.
Our full record: +147.3 points from 820 bets since October 2025 (2,254 points staked), every one published. See every result or join for £25 a month.
Our record at Ascot
Every single we've tipped at Ascot since October 2025, settled against the official result. Winners and losers. Every Ascot tip and the course guide →
| Date | Race | Selection | Price | Result | P/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Oct | 3 Oct · 3.35 Ascot | Thunder Call | 6/1 | lost | −4.00 |
| 3 Oct | 3 Oct · 2.25 Ascot | Tenability | 6/5 | lost | −3.00 |
| 4 Sep | 4 Sep · 2.30 Ascot | Shimmering Shadow | 4/1 | lost | −3.00 |
| 25 Jul | 25 Jul · 2.55 Ascot | Extremely Zain | 3/1 | lost | −3.00 |
| 25 Jul | 25 Jul · 1.45 Ascot | Alta Regina | 9/2 | lost | −2.00 |
| 11 Jul | 11 Jul · 1.55 Ascot | Behike | 4/1 | placed | 0.00 |
Our tips for Ascot Saturday
Members get our selections in Telegram on the day, each with a price and a stake. When we give a tip away it goes on the free tip page, on X @The_Gallop_uk and to our email list.
Big races coming up
Melbourne Cup 2026
Flemington · our guide →
Paddy Power Gold Cup 2026
Cheltenham · our guide →
Betfair Chase 2026
Haydock · our guide →
Coral Gold Cup 2026
Newbury · our guide →
Tingle Creek Chase 2026
Sandown · our guide →
King George VI Chase 2026
Kempton · our guide →
Check who's in form: trainers in form and jockeys in form over the last 14 days, and who wins at Ascot over five years. Follow a horse with the horse tracker.
Betting on it? Work out your returns with our each-way calculator, check how many places are paid, or use the bet calculator for doubles, trebles and Lucky 15s.
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Race details checked against the racecourse's own site. Fixtures can change because of the weather; check before you travel or bet.