Don’t doubt Thomas

● Fry’s versatile chaser could score in Ascot handicap

Thomas Brown can reap the benefit of a promising seasonal reappearance and open his account for the campaign in the Waitrose Handicap Chase at Ascot.

The eight-year-old, trained by Harry Fry, ran well when sixth to Go Conquer in the Sodexo Gold Cup over three miles at the Berkshire track until race fitness told in the end. He drops down to two miles, five furlongs for this race but is versatile, having won at distances between two and three miles. He was successful on this course over two miles and three furlongs in a novice chase two years ago.

Lalor is likely to go nicely in the David Brownlow Charitable Foundation “Introductory” Hurdle. The five-year-old is well liked by trainer Richard Woollacott, for whom he won a Grade Two bumper at Aintree in April. He did not do much wrong on his hurdling debut, either, as Lalor was only beaten a short head by Onefortheroadtom in a solid race at Wincanton last month.

Lalor rallied with plenty of zest late on and only succumbed by the slenderest of margins. That was a fine effort, and while this does not look a breeze by any means, Lalor looks like he should more than pay his way this winter.

A Bold Move is an interesting proposition as he makes his debut over fences in the Robert Price Builders Merchants Novices’ Handicap Chase at Ffos Las. The Christian Williamstrained seven-year-old has fair hurdles form on the course.

Though he did not win over the smaller obstacles, A Bold Move was placed on his last three starts and the time has come for him to go chasing.

Oak Vintage looks a worthy ally at Catterick. Ann Hamilton’s seven-year-old has gone up 10lb for an impressive victory at Kelso this month, but that might not stifle further progress in the Racing UK handicap chase over two miles and three furlongs.