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Handicap examination for classy eight-year-old.

Jeremy Scott is on a discovery mission with Dashel Drasher  when he lines up for the bet365 Handicap Chase at Ascot.

The Somerset trainer wants to find out if his lightly-raced eight-year-old can mix it with seasoned campaigners off his current mark in a competitive race such as this.

What Dashel Drasher has in his favour is a course-and-distance success on his latest start, albeit a three-horse affair.

"He's come out of his last race really well. It's very much to find out whether he's at that level," said Scott.

"We've only ever raced in those novice chases and a graduation chase, so how solid his handicap mark is we don't know.

"It's very much in a decent-sized field. I hope he runs well. I was pleased with the way he raced last time, but this will be a different proposition."

Rose Dobbin has had this race in mind for Jonniesofa for some time – but did not expect it to be as competitive as it has turned out.

However, she reports the 11-year-old to be in good shape following his victory at Carlisle last month.

"He's doing really well. He's in great order. I'm very happy with him," said the Northumberland trainer.

"We picked out this race a while ago, thinking conditions would suit him. Unfortunately, it seems to be quite a competitive renewal, but we'll go and take our chance and see how he gets on."

Dan Skelton reports Bennys King to be in prime condition as he attempts to go one better than 12 months ago.

"He won there last time, (and) two-miles-five is a great trip for him," said the Alcester trainer.

"He looks fantastic – this is the perfect race for him.

"He's gone up in the handicap, which is making life harder, but I couldn't be any happier with him."

Paul Nicholls was delighted to see Capeland return to winning ways at Wincanton, although it means he must race off a career-high mark.

"I was thrilled to see him bounce back to form with a stylish success a fortnight ago off a mark of 149 at Wincanton, back up in trip to two and a half miles," he told Betfair.

"Capeland is now up to a career-high mark of 153 at a track which we know he likes, but he is another who wouldn't want any more rain at Ascot."

Tom Lacey is looking forward to having Kateson back on the track in the Matchbook Better Way To Bet Holloway's Handicap Hurdle, for the first time in seven weeks.

The Herefordshire trainer believes the eight-year-old runs well when fresh, so has given him a break since he was successful at Aintree.

"He seems in good order. I think the trip on that ground will be right up his street, fingers crossed," said Lacey.

"He's a horse that runs best fresh. We've just been waiting to find the races for him.

Nicholls is confident of a strong performance from Danny Kirwan.

The Ditcheat handler said: "He has had one or two issues that have interrupted his career but is now in as good a place as we've had him for a long time, and it was great to see him show what he can do with a fluent victory over this trip at Ascot two months ago.

"Next time at Cheltenham he didn't stay three miles. Danny has been working with Politologue and will be much happier back at this trip on testing ground that he relishes. I am expecting a big run from him in a competitive race."

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