14:30 Ascot

Sunday 2 April 2017

All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

Mitie Events & Leisure Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 3m 34.22s

Domperignon Du Lys¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133

3/1

Was well fancied to run a big race in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival but didn't run as expected and finished well down the field. Not getting a clear run at a crucial time a possible excuse there, and if forgiving that, has a decent chance on earlier form against Triumph winner Defi Du Seuil.

Form: 114107

Dolos^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Stan Sheppard⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132

7/2

Finished just behind Domperignon Du Lys in the Fred Winter but seems to have less of an excuse, and hard to see why he should reverse form here. Slightly disappointing when made favourite the time before at Taunton and may not be progressing.

Form: 333021

So Celebre¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 125

9/1

Improving with every run and gets a useful 8lb for a ten length beating by Domperignon Du Lys on their Newcastle form, and the way he disposed of a decent field at Huntingdon last time suggests he has every chance of reversing the form. Conditions likely to be spot on and has to be high on the list.

Form: -

Percy Street¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124

7/2

Did best of these in the Fred Winter, finishing a staying on sixth and obvious claims from the same mark here. Will ideally want a bit further in time but a likely good gallop here will help in that regard and he should be up to making a solid contribution in this.

Form: -

Silver Streak³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: Evan Williams| OR: 123

9/2

Looks all about speed and was taken up to Musselburgh for the better ground last time, beating another improving horse in Violoniste with a bit in hand. Handicapper has made life harder here but of more worry is the form of the yard, which is really struggling for form at present.

Form: -432

East Indies^h³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117

14/1

Looked to have a future at the game when winning at Plumpton last September, but it's been a mixed bag since and although readily excused his effort behind Master Blueyes at Kempton (outclassed) he does need to turn earlier form around to hold a realistic chance. Can race keenly.

Form: -1P3

Hollywood Ken^t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: H Cobden| T: R Woollacott| OR: 107

16/1

Fourth to Master Blueyes at Ludlow in February stands out like a beacon among a sea of other lesser efforts, the latest of those coming at Sandown when well behind Gregarious. Hard to find reasons why that form should be reversed and looks an unlikely winner.

Form: 94P683

Hazamar^p1,t¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: P J Brennan| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 104

33/1

Doesn't always look the most cooperative and although the likely quicker conditions should suit, there's nothing in his form that says he's capable of winning this. First time cheekpieces need to have a major effect.

Form: 523451

Non-Runners

Gregarious²²

Weight: 10-9| Age: 4

T: L Wadham J: L P Aspell

Forecasts

Domperignon Du Lys (3/1), Dolos (7/2), Percy Street (7/2), Gregarious (4/1), Silver Streak (9/2), So Celebre (9/1), East Indies (14/1), Hollywood Ken (16/1), Hazamar (33/1)

As long as GREGARIOUS isn't inconvenienced too much by what is likely to be quicker ground, he can continue his progression through the ranks. His form looks all the better now and he's handicapped to go well. Percy Street did well in the Fred Winter and there seems no reason why he won't run his race again and he, So Celebre and top weight Domperignon Du Lys can fight out the places in a competitive event.