13:15 Ascot
Saturday 18 February 2017
All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45
Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle
- 5YO plus  |  Class 2  |  2m 3f 58y  |  Soft (Good to Soft in places)  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:15Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 50.7s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Promising sort who scored with ease on debut (8/1) before getting turned over at odds-on last time by a smart type in Finian's Oscar. That rival has come out and won on both subsequent starts, notably the Grade 1 Tolworth Novices' Hurdle at Sandown. The third has also won since and the drop back in trip holds no fears so he's likely to remain competitive with the Neptune at the Festival likely to be his long term target.
Useful Flat performer who bolted up on return from three-and-a-half years off the track at Newbury last time. Couldn't have done that much more impressively and should be more to come but the "bounce" factor has to be a concern on second start after a lay-off.
Point-to-point winner in October before being sold for £75,000 to this yard at the end of last year. Has gone on to win two starts for this yard in heavy conditions but the bare level of that form needs stepping up on in here and unbeaten record looks vulnerable. Would be a more interesting contender if it turned into a slog.
Looks a little more exposed than some of these but ran a respectable race behind Le Rocher, who looks to have a promising career in front of him, last time. Will undoubtedly need to pull out more in this contest but that's not beyond the realms of possibility.
Won his only point-to-point in impressive fashion and made a very taking Rules debut despite only winning narrowly at here in December. Went on to finish a well-beaten fourth last time, but that did look like a strong race and return to this track is bonus having proved himself here. Soft conditions may have contributed to his undoing there though and there has to be similar concerns here.
Looks a speculative entry judged on what's in the form book and never threatened at Sandown when finishing a tailed off fifth returning from a significant absence. Sure to improve on that but likely to be out of his depth here.
Two wins from eight starts both coming in bumpers. Ran okay over hurdles in three starts this season, including when beaten by a short head last time. A little flattered by that as the eventual winner was idling in front and this looks like a deeper contest but usually travels well in his races and not one to put a line through.
Still a maiden after 12 starts and this looks like a rather hopeful piece of placement. Trainer hasn't had a winner over hurdles or fences in the past year and out of his depth in this.
Forecasts
Topofthegame (7/4), Beyond Conceit (5/2), Acting Lass (4/1), Criq Rock (8/1), Tintern Theatre (9/1), De Dollar Man (14/1), Ahio (100/1), Deebaj (200/1)
The form of ACTING LASS' second at Hereford last time has been franked multiple times since and he may have just bumped into something a bit special in the shape of Finian's Oscar. Unlikely to be anything quite that good in here and he can stamp his credentials for the Neptune by taking this. Beyond Conceit couldn't have won more impressively last time out but there has to be a concern that his lengthy lay-off prior to that run could still take its toll. Topofthegame is better than his fourth at Cheltenham last time out but the ground may have been a factor in that defeat and may face similar conditions here so De Dollar Man is taken to be the best of the rest having proven himself in rain softened conditions.
1. Acting Lass
2. Beyond Conceit
3. De Dollar Man
Prize Money
1st: £15,640.002nd: £4,620.003rd: £2,310.004th: £1,155.005th: £578.006th: £290.00
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