Friday Racing Tips: Key Timeform data including a top-rated Horse In Focus

• Stencil better than result on chasing debut

• Plenty of substance to Let It Rain's form

• No Questions Asked back at scene of course-and-distance win

13:50, Ascot - Easier for Stencil in handicap after catching eye at Cheltenham

Ascot's novices' handicap chase looks a good opportunity for Stencil to build on his eye-catching chasing debut in a higher grade at Cheltenham last month and get off the mark over fences at the second attempt under Harry Cobden.

Trained in France by Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm, Stencil won his first two starts over hurdles at Compiegne before making into a useful juvenile in the ownership of J. P. McManus. His best effort came at Cheltenham on Trials Day when finishing a good second to East India Dock in Grade 2 company, but he disappointed at the Festival when sent off favourite for the Fred Winter.

Stencil was the pick of the Fred Winter field on looks so it's not a surprise he's been fast-tracked to fences this term, though he was pitched straight into Grade 2 company for his chasing debut in the November Novices' Chase at Cheltenham. But he was given a considerate ride by Cobden and shaped better than the bare form of his fifth of six to July Flower would suggest. Stencil seems sure to do better with that run under his belt and is fitted with a hood for the first time here.

14:25, Ascot - Unexposed Let It Rain weighted to defy absence

'Hot Trainer' Dan Skelton's mare Let It Rain has been absent for more than a year but her unexposed profile means she makes plenty of appeal in a big field for Ascot's handicap hurdle over just short of two miles.

She was actually a winner on this same card in 2023 when landing the listed bumper which took her record in that sphere to two out of two, looking all set for a bright future. However, her only two runs since came in a couple of runs over hurdles in November of last year but the form of both races reads well. She finished clear of the rest behind French Ship, who now has a Timeform rating of 144, when runner-up at Chepstow and then landed very short odds in a mares' novice at Wetherby from Rockola Vogue. That mare has progressed well since and won her third handicap when successful at Ascot last month.

Given how those races have worked out, Let It Rain starts out in handicaps from a competitive mark and therefore heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings with the scope to do better still, while she won't be inconvenienced if the ground softens.

15:00, Ascot - Form pick No Questions Asked can go one better than last time

Ben Pauling missed out on winning last season's Noel Novices' Chase when Personal Ambition blundered his chance away when leading over the last, and while that horse bids to go one better this time, the stable's other runner No Questions Asked looks to have much the better claims.

A three-time winner over hurdles last season, No Questions Asked has already shown better form in his two runs over fences last month. He gained a course-and-distance win over two rivals in a novices' handicap on his chasing debut and then ran very well upped in grade for the John Francome Novices' Chase at Newbury. No Questions Asked looked all set to follow up his Ascot victory when leading on the bridle three out but was outstayed after the last by two-length winner Wendigo.

No Questions Asked earned the 'Horse In Focus' flag from that run and he looks capable of going one better here dropping back to a slightly shorter trip. He also heads the Timeform weight-adjusted ratings and has further improvement to come.

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