Azertyuiop heads field for Chandler Chase

A total of 14 horses have been confirmed for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot this Saturday with the Paul Nicholls-trained …

A total of 14 horses have been confirmed for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot this Saturday with the Paul Nicholls-trained Azertyuiop set to carry top weight.

The seven-year-old finished second to Moscow Flyer in the William Hill Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown last month and his mark of 11st 10lb means he will be giving weight away all round in the £120,000 Grade Two contest.

Nicholls has also left Young Devereaux, winner of the equivalent race 12 months ago when it was transferred to Kempton after Ascot was abandoned, in the two-mile event.

Nicky Henderson could also be double handed. The master of Seven Barrow's could run either Isio or Got One Too.

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Recent course and distance winner Hot Shots is reported a definite runner in the race by trainer Mark Pitman.

Upgrade, runner-up to Hot Shots at Ascot last month, and Wahiba Sands are the two entries from the Martin Pipe stable with Philip Hobbs set to give Framer Jack his first start since being pulled up in the First National Gold Cup.

Henry Daly could run Palarshan, who was last seen when scoring in the Grand Annual Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival, with the in-form Nigel Twiston Davies having left in recent hurdles winner Redemption.

Native Scout, who chased home Moscow Flyer at Leopardstown over Christmas, heads the Irish entries which also feature Killultagh Storm and Fadoudal du Cochet.