14:00 Ascot
Sunday 2 April 2017
All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20
ROA/Racing Post Owners Jackpot Maiden Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 3f 58y  |  Good  |  11 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:00Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 36.25s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Showed some ability on debut at Southwell last May (not unbacked at big prices) but proved a difficult ride at Huntingdon next time out, running out early in the race. May have needed recent run back at Southwell but hasn't shown enough to make him of interest here.
Very disappointing on handicap debut at Fontwell in January, jumping letting him down at certain points in the race and and a final flight mistake cost him at Bangor the time before too. Better ground here may help and good chance on form, but possibly not one for maximum faith in.
Did the job nicely from the front when quickening up to beat Asum at Warwick last April, but pulled up (at odds-on) on only other run when bursting a blood vessel at Wetherby. That, and the absence since, have to be concerns but there's ability there and he has to be taken seriously.
Looked impressive when winning an Ayr bumper at their Western meeting last year and although quite highly tried in two novice hurdles, didn't really show that same spark. Possible that this better ground is what he wants and it's too soon to write him off yet.
Point-to-point winner in Ireland has been too keen in two starts to date, but has showed ability and his third to Azzerti last time out was a step in the right direction. Still plenty to find here and may be one for handicaps down the line.
Second in an Irish point-to-point and purchased by current connections for £95,000 not long after, but didn't show much on debut at Kempton, too keen early and was well beaten at the finish. Will have learnt from that but still best watched here unless market says otherwise.
Has finished placed in all three bumpers so far, and may well have won in another couple of strides at Lingfield last time out, getting going all too late. May not be entirely straightforward but still has to be respected on hurdles debut today.
Ran a bit better than finishing position suggests at Ascot when last seen, finishing sixth in what looks like a good race for the grade (winners from the race) and looks to have been held back for the better ground here. Will improve and one of the more likely players today.
Has had a few tries already, best run coming at Stratford last October and although conditions here likely to be fine, isn't improving and may find others doing better today.
Looked to be progressing nicely until blotting her copybook at Kempton last time out, running wide off the bend before halfway and having to be pulled up. Temperament issues aside, form is solid and conditions should be ideal, but can't be fully trusted after that Kempton show.
Useful on the flat in Ireland for Aiden O'Brien, and stayed a mile and a half well enough to suggest stamina ought not be an issue, but a bit one paced and this is a hot enough race to be making your hurdling debut in. Best watched today.
Forecasts
Tales Of The Tweed (3/1), Gibbes Bay (4/1), Burrows Park (9/2), Toviere (13/2), Clondaw Cracker (8/1), Take To Heart (10/1), Legal Ok (16/1), Jennifer Eccles (20/1), Three Star General (22/1), Springtown Lake (33/1), Benefit Of Luck (66/1)
This better ground may just be what GIBBES BAY needs to show his best, and he looked like one to follow when winning an Ayr bumper last year. He can take this at the expense of Tales Of The Tweed , another with improvement to come and maybe Clondaw Cracker might appreciate having had a break as he can burst blood vessels. The likely better ground can help in that regard too.
- Gibbes Bay
- Tales Of The Tweed
- Clondaw Cracker
Prize Money
1st: £5,198.002nd: £1,526.003rd: £763.004th: £382.00
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