15:00 Ascot
Saturday 18 February 2017
All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45
Les Ambassadeurs Casino Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 2 | 2m 3f 58y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 16 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 4m 47.40s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Interesting that he reverted back to hurdles after a couple of starts over fences last time but that effort at Sandown was disappointing and possibly found the ground too testing to become a factor. Wears blinkers for the first time and drop back in trip will help but has a difficult task off top-weight.
Dual-purpose performer who has been well beaten in almost all recent starts both on the Flat and over jumps. Back down to last winning mark at least but hard to trust in current form.
Two time Flat winner in France, and raced consistently for this yard in four Flat starts last season (rated mid 70's). Progressed nicely over hurdles and unbeaten in first three starts before performing a little disappointingly as favourite for the Lanzarote last time. He's better than that and good chance he can resume his progress on a track that will suit.
Exciting prospect back in 2015 before being pulled-up in Sefton Novices' hurdles at Aintree that year and not seen since. Presumably not the easiest to train though and probably best watched after such an absence.
Didn't really get his career going on the Flat for Charlie Appleby and didn't look a natural over obstacles when tried earlier in his career. May do better but likley to need more time and probably best watched on return from an absence.
Well backed on debut for this yard and had some useful form in France. Softer conditions should help but will need to settle better than he did here on debut in November.
In fine form of late, improving with every run and his attitude to racing suggests he might not be done yet. 7lb rise seems fair and trainer does well with his hurdlers here (45.45%).
Made a very promising start to his career in 2013 and progressed as a six-year-old and went off joint second favourite for a Grade 1 at Aintree. Fell that day and not been seen since so percentage call says he will need the run and probably best watched on this occasion.
Good second behind Modus in the Lanzarote last time and return to softer may bring about more improvement. Not a whole lot of pace in the contest for a race this size so may be able to gain a good position early and still looks on the upgrade.
Failed to finish last time when unseating this rider at Taunton and would prefer better ground than what he's going to encounter here.
Trainer won last year's renewal of this race and saddles consistent sort who produced a career best to finished third of 14 last time at Cheltenham. Probably wouldn't want the ground too soft but should continue in good form and all of this jockey's winners this year have come from this trainer.
Unexposed and been running well in some minor events but this is a step up and it's hard to envisage him being well enough handicapped for this contest.
Fascinating French recruit having first run for this yard but they usually take their time with these sorts and he's best watched after a significant absence.
Fine effort from out of the handicap at Cheltenham last time, going off at 50/1 and finishing second, a place in front of Divine Spear. Not much fluke about that so warrants respect and clearly gets on well with this jockey with form figures of 232 when combing.
Three wins from seven starts, all coming with soft in the going description. Showed a gutsy attitude to prevail last time but she will certainly need more than that level of form in this company.
Didn't perform all that well when coming off a break at Sandown last time, having previously been a promising maiden winner over C&D for some top connections. Can come on for that Sandown run, but will need to in a first time visor.
Forecasts
Templeross (4/1), Air Horse One (7/1), Ordo Ab Chao (7/1), Divine Spear (15/2), Krugermac (8/1), My Khaleesi (9/1), Doesyourdogbite (9/1), Connetable (12/1), Prime Venture (16/1), Cyrname (16/1), Man Of Plenty (16/1), Oscar Hoof (16/1), Wolfcatcher (20/1), Loup De Louve (25/1), Here's Herbie (33/1), Mister Fizz (66/1)
A case can be made for the vast majority of this field but TEMPLEROSS' form behind Modus reads well in the context of this race and he gives the impression there's more to come. Jamie Bargary's 3lb claim should help further but if he's too short a price, there may be value in the price of Divine Spear who's trainer won this last year. Air Horse One is another who is on an upward curve and seems to be improving at some rate recently.
1. Templeross
2. Air Horse One
3. Divine Spear
Prize Money
1st: £28,152.002nd: £8,316.003rd: £4,158.004th: £2,079.005th: £1,040.006th: £522.00
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