16:50 Ascot
Sunday 2 April 2017
All14:0014:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20
Iron Stand Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 7f 118y  |  Good (Good to Firm in places)  |  10 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 16:50Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 34.35s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Smart and reliable staying chaser who hasn't run since failing to complete at Cheltenham in November, and makes first appearance over hurdles since April 2013 here. Bit to prove in this sphere given his absence, and passed over unless market speaks in his favour.
Last two wins have come on heavy ground at shorter, and struggled to make any impact at Sandown in February. Most recent win came under this rider, but easy enough to have reservations on balance of form.
Not easy to predict these days, and while he ran well when placed at Kempton (2m5f) in December after a break, he's not repeated that form in two subsequent runs, finishing well held in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last month.
Useful stayer on flat in France, and has looked in need of further in hurdles runs up to 2m5f for current yard. Plugged on in warm novice at Kempton on latest start, and more than possible he'll find improvement to defy revised mark now stepping up to this trip. Respected.
On a workable mark based on hurdles form, but has failed to last home on either start over fences (breathing problem on debut) this season. May do better reverting to timber, but Pilansberg looks a stronger contender for his powerful yard.
Placed in a point and presumably failed to handle testing ground when flopping on hurdles debut. Solid form when narrowly beaten next twice, before winning a match at Huntingdon (3m1f) last month. More to come now qualified for handicaps, and merits consideration.
Bumper winner for James Motherway, and off mark over hurdles for new yard at Leicester (2½m) in November. Not gone on as hoped, although a bit more impact in EBF Final at Sandown last month when tried tongue tied. Needs to show he can build on that.
Heavy-ground winner for Paul Nicholls in 2015, but sold very cheaply since, and showed virtually nothing on belated return at Kempton in February. Hard to fancy on that evidence.
Best efforts on good ground, winning at Exeter (2m7f) in October. Failed to complete in two chase tries (race void on second occasion), and bounced back from poor run when fourth at Kempton in February. May yet do better, and not easily ruled out.
Bumper winning half-brother to Neptune winner Willoughby Court, and stepped upon earlier form in this discipline when third over this trip at Doncaster on handicap bow. Ought to do better yet, and one to keep onside as a result.
Non-Runners
1
Puffin Billy715
Weight: 12-0|Â Â Age: 9
T: O Sherwood  J: Harrison Beswick
NR
12
Minstrel Royal65
Weight: 10-3|Â Â Age: 7
T: N J Henderson  J: Ned Curtis
NR
13
Loves Destination15
Weight: 10-1|Â Â Age: 6
T: C Gordon  J: Harry Teal
NR
Forecasts
Pilansberg (7/2), Beneagles (7/2), Westendorf (4/1), Expedite (8/1), Markov (8/1), Puffin Billy (8/1), Loves Destination (10/1), Dell' Arca (11/1), Minstrel Royal (12/1), Billy No Name (20/1), Le Reve (20/1), Alibi De Sivola (20/1), Earthmoves (25/1)
MARKOV shaped well on his handicap bow at Doncaster, and is wholly unexposed at staying trips, so appeals as capable of defying an unchanged mark. Beneagles is another lightly raced sort who should have more to offer in handicaps, while Puffin Billy is the class act in the race, and it would be no surprise if he were up to defying a lengthy absence.
- Markov
- Beneagles
- Puffin Billy
Prize Money
1st: £5,848.002nd: £1,717.003rd: £859.004th: £429.00
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