Johnson and Anzum ready for long haul

Merry Masquerade, not Teaatral, is the main danger. This is the ideal track configuration for last year's winner, who must race right-handed, but Charlie Egerton's charge may not stay three miles as testing as this. The late Rubhahunish made significant inroads on Teaatral's clear advantage in last year's renewal, closing it down to two-and-a-half lengths at the line.

No, Mary Reveley's revivified representative - also a ten-year-old - can maintain superiority over Teaatral in these conditions, despite being 4lb worse off than their Kempton encounter. He loves heavy ground and stays all day. But, although he receives 4lb from Anzum, their Haydock form of 14 months ago cedes the selection a clear advantage.

Mini Sensation, Wain Mountain and Monica's Story are all capable of improvement, but look held in this grade. It would be a major upset if Frosty Canyon were to win, but he can go well at a good price.

In the Grosvenor Casinos Handicap Chase, look kindly on Native Wit's distant fourth to Upgrade over this course and distance last November. She was hunting up decent opponents until weakening rapidly four fences from home. That was her seasonal debut and the margins fail to do her justice - she was eased significantly when beaten.

She handles heavy ground and is open to great improvement over fences for trainer Ferdy Murphy. She's only 8lb higher than her best winning effort last season - an easy six-length defeat of smart Kates Charm.

Although flattered by his margin of superiority over Native Wit when they last met, Blowing Wind is her main danger. He can still progress from his current rating, given both his hurdles form and his encouraging show from 7lb higher mark over a trip too far at last year's Cheltenham Festival. This trip in testing ground suits.

Well-handicapped Nigel's Lad would have been the selection, but is reportedly more likely to run at Aintree next week. The Land Agent can go well, still handily weighted on his form with unlucky Racing Post Chase loser, Tremallt. Eau de Cologne is not so effective in this heavy ground, which will also drain Get Real's stamina. Dulas Bay is progressive, but 16lb wrong at the weights.

Polar Prospect may deny the Queen Mother's progressive mare, Bella Macae, in the opening Brunswick Handicap Hurdle. Philip Hobbs' charge was a very smart handicap hurdler two seasons and showed glimmers of revival at Haydock last time, making progress until a lack of race-fitness took its toll at the second last.

He relishes heavy ground and runs well at Ascot, as his second to Ismeno from a 7lb higher mark in a valuable event here in February 1999 demonstrated. He's also only 3lb higher than when winning a competitive heat at Sandown earlier that season.

Bella Macrae showed improved form last time. Although such amateur events can be unreliable form guides, the time was identical to Ibal's Imperial Cup victory yet the Nicky Henderson-trained mare was carrying 33lb more. Haditovski, a winner this time last week, has a lot to find on her given a line through It's Wallace.

The Martin Pipe-trained Present Bleu boasts useful form on the other side of the Channel, but not all French imports reproduce their best over here.

Ascot selections: 1.45, Polar Prospect; 2.15, Native Wit (provided Nigel's Lad is absent); 2.50, Anzum.