Paddy Power Millionaire Chase: A runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s 3.35pm at Ascot

The 3.35pm at Cheltenham on Saturday is your sixth chance to qualify for Paddy Power's New Year's Day Millionaire giveaway.

Millionaire draw Christmas imagery

By / Horse Racing News, Horse Racing Tips / 3 years ago

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You should know the deal by now, but if you don’t gather round as we are now on week six in our Millionaire qualifier that is the 3.35pm at Ascot on Saturday.

Each week, you simply OPT IN and then pick a horse to win in one of our selected qualifier races to be in with a chance of grabbing a million quid in Paddy Power’s Millionaire Chase on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham.

All you have to do is click this handy OPT IN link from Thursday and then place a winning bet on Saturday’s 3.35pm at Ascot to go forward to the weekly online draw that takes place live our social channels on Monday. If your name is picked out, you will then go forward to the huge New Year’s Day sweepstake race at Cheltenham with the chance to win a million quid – or £/€10k for just qualifying.

You must OPT IN though – backing the winner, but not OPTING IN first won’t get you in the Monday draw. And did we mention the weekly draw winner gets a £/€10k prize? Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

So, if you haven’t had a chance to study the card yet there’s no need to fret, because we’ve got your back. Here’s our handy runner-by-runner guide to Saturday’s 3.35pm at Ascot, all thanks to the wonderful racing boffins at Timeform.

And remember to OPT IN first to be eligible for the competition.

Here’s the field:

Buzz

Useful on the level and quickly developed into an even better hurdler, posting a smart performance when making it 3 wins in 5 starts in C&D handicap last month. More to come and big player.

Benson

Bumper winner who has upped his game over hurdles this term, making it 3-3 when seeing off 9 rivals in heavy-ground Sandown handicap a fortnight ago. Raised 10 lb but still respected.

Malaya

2019 Imperial Cup winner who ended last season with a second in 19f handicap here and as good as ever when chasing home the reopposing Kid Commando on C&D reappearance. Tongue tie on. Respected.

Cyrname Harry Cobden Ascot February 15, 2020

Oakley

Failed to get his head in front last season but largely acquitted himself well and he posted another creditable effort when third of 11 in 2m Wetherby handicap on reappearance in October.

Time Flies By

Useful bumper winner who showed definite promise in pair of Grade 2 hurdle contests around the turn of the year. Beaten in 19f maiden here on reappearance but still rates an improver now handicapping.

Arrivederci

Had a next-time-out winner behind in second when landing Wetherby handicap in October. Close up and travelling well when falling 3 out at Haydock next time. Remains open to progress. Tongue tie added.

Lightly Squeezed

Rapid progress last term, every chance when falling last in Betfair Hurdle in February. Better than result when sixth in Welsh Champion on return to hurdling. Had wind op since (also tongue tied now).

Kid Commando

Quickly reached a smart level over hurdles, reappearing with C&D listed handicap win in October. Possibly stretched by a 3f longer trip when only sixth at Haydock since and contender back at 2m.

Night Edition

Did well on coming over from France last winter, running a blinder when second of 22 in Fred Winter at Cheltenham Festival in March. Lightly raced so may have an even bigger performance in him.

Belfast Banter

Off mark over hurdles in 2m maiden at Galway in October. Good second in novice at Punchestown (17f, heavy) since. Pitched in at deep end on handicap debut but yard does well with runners over here.

Isolate

Fairly useful on Flat and going right way over hurdles, winning novices at Taunton and Leicester. Strong-travelling style provides hope that he’ll be suited by the demands of race like this.

Botox Has

Took another big step forward with victory in 2m Cheltenham conditions event on reappearance. Seemingly no excuses when fourth in 2m Newbury handicap (good) but the return to testing ground may help.

Harambe

Won Greatwood at Cheltenham last November and in the process of making a creditable return to action when falling at the last in this year’s renewal of that race.

Master Debonair

Dual C&D winner last term, including Grade 2 novice on heavy. However, very disappointing on Wincanton reappearance and this opening handicap mark looks tough even if recapturing his best.

Not-So-Sleepy-wins-at-Ascot

Not So Sleepy

Front-runner who won this is off 15 lb lower 12 months ago. Did well on the Flat this autumn but inauspicious return to hurdles in Fighting Fifth last month, putting brakes on an unseating at first.

West to the Bridge

Has returned in fine form over hurdles, winning 2½m Carlisle handicap last month. Didn’t quite see out 3m in competitive event at Haydock latest and now down markedly in trip. Yard won this twice.

Cormier

Fair on Flat and has taken well to hurdles, winning maiden/novice in October. Fair seventh in Greatwood at Cheltenham and should be wiser with that experience of a big-field handicap behind him.

VERDICT:

A host with chances in what is always one of the most competitive handicaps of the season. ARRIVEDERCI looked set to play a big part in a warm race at Haydock when departing at the third last so is perhaps worth another chance to show he’s still on a good mark. Buzz, October’s course and distance rivals Kid Commando and Malaya and Harry Fry’s Lightly Squeeze, who has had a wind op, head the many possible dangers.

Read More:

THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

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