12:45 Ascot
Friday 22 December 2017
All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40
eventmasters.co.uk Maiden Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 5f 141y  |  Soft  |  10 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 12:45Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 5m 22.06s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Irish point-to-point winner (3m) who has progressed well since switched to hurdles. Found plenty over a possibly inadequate 2m4f at Huntingdon last month (good to soft) when beaten ¾L by Silver Kayf.
Drops notably in grade after struggling in a competitive novices hurdle over C&D last month (approx 20L fifth to Count Meribel). Should have taken plenty from that initial experience, and interesting to see how strong (or not) he is in the market.
Showed glimmers of promise in bumpers, but was keen early on his hurdles debut at Chepstow recently (finished eighth of 15 to Chooseyourweapon). Looks the type to be better suited by a lesser contest.
Beaten a neck on his handicap debut at Kempton last month (3m+ good to soft), which was a step up on similar placed efforts at Exeter and Stratford. This trip/grade could suit, but does he really deliver the goods off the bridle?
Arrived out of the Irish point-to-point scene a winner at Bartlemy in May (3m good), but was well held on hurdles/stable debut at Chepstow last month (2m). Step up in trip a plus, but seemingly needs to find much more.
Sold for £120,000 after winning a Punchestown bumper in February (ex Gordon Elliott). Posted a pleasing hurdles/stable debut here last month when just over 2L third to Kildisart (2m3f good to soft). Strong claims assuming he stays this trip.
His form figures demonstrate a degree of seconditis, but truthfully he shouldn't be knocked. Just not quite able to quicken up when beaten 1¼L by Battle Of Ideas at Plumpton (2m4f+ good to soft) on hurdles debut. Will win races.
Easy winner of his sole point-to-point before being switched to this trainer. Offered plenty to work upon for the future when beaten 6½L by Santini in a Newbury novices hurdle (2m4f+ soft) earlier this month. Drops in grade today.
Bought for £110,000 after winning a solid looking Market Rasen bumper for Neville Bycroft in April (2m good). Should be wiser and sharper for his initial hurdles experience (over 2m3f+) recently, but did finish a little way behind Oakley Hall.
Sold for £30,000 in August after winning a Limerick bumper in July by 1½L. Looked all set to make a winning start over hurdles at Hereford last month (2m3f+) before weakening late on and beaten 2L by Court Liability. Goes right-handed again here.
Won a Warwick bumper with ease (by 7L) on his sole start for Dan Skelton in March, but had moved on before reappearing over hurdles at Bangor recently (2m1f), where he was beaten 1¾L by Don't Ask. Up in trip.
Forecasts
Good Man Pat (7/2), Robin Waters (4/1), Settie Hill (11/2), Whiskey In The Jar (11/2), Clondaw Native (13/2), Oakley Hall (8/1), Puppet Warrior (14/1), Darius Des Bois (16/1), Stage Summit (25/1), Duke Of Kilcorral (66/1), Moving In Style (100/1)
A maiden hurdle which promises to be a good source of future winners. Plenty of the leading stables in the South are represented by young horses who have the potential to do better with more experience. Good Man Pat has had a few chances already this year, but probably stepped forward a fraction in handicap company latest, but there's just a nagging doubt lurking as to exactly what he will find in the heat of battle. Oakley Hall posted a pleasing hurdles debut at this track last month and should be thereabouts assuming he stays, whilst Settie Hill (eighth in that contest) wasn't at all knocked about. The likes of Puppet Warrior, Stage Summit and Robin Waters all clearly possess ability, but a token selection in a tough opening contest is CLONDAW NATIVE. Stuart Edmunds Golan gelding is progressing steadily over hurdles, and with form on a similar right handed track (Huntingdon) already recorded, should appreciate today's extra yardage (further 2f).
- Clondaw Native
- Robin Waters
- Oakley Hall
Prize Money
1st: £7,798.002nd: £2,290.003rd: £1,145.004th: £572.00
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