Coral Hurdle (Registered As The Ascot Hurdle) (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 4m 42.8s

L'Ami Serge^h1¹⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 159| C| D

7/2

Beaten a neck by Arctic Fire in the 2017 County Hurdle in March, but he's really kicked on since then taking the Grade 2 Select Hurdle at Sandown in April, and the Grade 1 French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil in June. Versatile in terms of trip/ground.

Form: 3251-21

Wakea^h,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr J C Barry| T: K Thornton| OR: 144

50/1

Irish raider who is a two time hurdles winner (both over 2m). Finished 7½L fourth to Melon in the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle at Down Royal earlier this month, and whilst he'll stay this trip no problem, is massively up against it at these weights.

Form: 0F-F224

Defi Du Seuil²³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Geraghty| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 157

10/11

Flawless over hurdles (7 from 7), including in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, and the Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree in April. Up in trip for his seasonal bow in order to avoid the Newcastle bound Champion Hurdler Buveur D'Air.

Form: 111111-

Dicosimo^h⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 144| BF

50/1

Hasn't raced over hurdles since April 2016 and looks firmly up against it in this contest. Makes his debut for a new trainer after leaving Willie Mullins for £28,000 in September 2017.

Form: 2282P4

Lil Rockerfeller^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 160| BF| C| D

9/4

Tough hurdler who likes it at Ascot, and was beaten just ¾L by Yanworth in this race in 2016. Solid in plenty of good races thereafter including in the Long Walk Hurdle (December), and the Grade 1 Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Form: 22420-3

Forecasts

Defi Du Seuil (10/11), Lil Rockerfeller (9/4), L'Ami Serge (7/2), Wakea (50/1), Dicosimo (50/1)

DEFI DU SEUIL is upped in trip and puts his unbeaten hurdles record at risk on his seasonal reappearance. Come March, he's most likely to end up at Cheltenham in the Champion Hurdle, but side-steps a potential clash with the reigning Champion Buveur D'Air in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle next week seemingly solely because the pair are in the same ownership. However, he should still prove strong enough against these rivals with only Lil Rockerfeller and French Champion L'Ami Serge a threat at the weights. Preference is for the Ascot specialist and 2016 runner up Lil Rockerfeller for the forecast.