BOOTHILL looked a Graded horse in a handicap when running away with the valuable Byrne Group Handicap Chase at Ascot.

Trained in west Dorset by Harry Fry, he had won his two previous handicap chases but his last four runs had all come at a higher level.

The eight-year-old won the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton last Christmas and was not disgraced thereafter but looked a cut above his rivals off a mark of 149.

Sent off the 7-2 favourite, he was nursed into contention by Jonathan Burke as Saint Segal set a scorching gallop.

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When the leader began to falter, First Flow and the strong-travelling Frere D’Armes had a chance, but as soon as Boothill put in a huge leap at the last the race was over and he powered four lengths clear of First Flow.

Burke told Sky Sports Racing: “It was always the plan to come here first but with all the rain we were worried.

“It wasn’t as soft as what the rest of the country is, though, and it was a very good performance.

“He can be keen and he doesn’t miss fences, when he does it can be disastrous but he missed the one near Swinley Bottom which allowed me to fill him up.

“He pinged the last and galloped all the way to the line.”

Fry said: “He’s entered in the Hurst Park (Ascot, November 25) so we need to decide whether to stay in handicaps or step him up in class again.”

Dan Skelton may have gone north to Wetherby but he will have been watching on with interest as his Knickerbockerglory (10-1) fairly bolted up in the Seat Unique Handicap Hurdle.

In what looked a competitive race on paper, the lightly-raced seven-year-old turned it into a procession.

Fry’s Altobelli did his best to give the yard a big-race double and gave vain chase in the straight, but he was four-and-a-quarter lengths away at the line.