12:40 Ascot

Saturday 23 December 2017

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Foundation Developments Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 5m 59.2s

This Is It²²

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 122

8/1

Career was showing a steady upward curve until finding his revised mark and a rise in grade too much at Newbury. The form of his Exeter victory suggests he will struggle to concede weight to some of these.

Form: 5332-16

Hatchet Jack¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson| OR: 120

22/1

Has caught the eye in three novice events and has looked the type to make his mark when handicapping. Those efforts have not escaped the notice of the assessor who has taken few chances with his initial rating.

Form: 6F-2734

Ready Token^t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 119| D

66/1

Sent hurdling for the first time in three years and having been tailed off on comeback run. Best watched for now.

Form: 11P04-8

Forgetthesmalltalk³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 118| BF| D

7/2

Progressive type who would have gone a lot closer but for a mistake at the last on his most recent start. Goes up another 4lb but not without a chance for an in form yard.

Form: 1424-32

Natter Jack Croak¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 115| D

25/1

Improved for the switch to this trip on penultimate start but was below that level at Chepstow two weeks ago. Possible the ground was too heavy that day but he still has a lot to prove off this mark.

Form: 1/8-724

Now Mcginty²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: S Edmunds| OR: 114

8/1

Form of his most recent third has worked out but he was never travelling at any point last time. Possible there was something amiss and worth checking to see if the market indicates he might be about to bounce back.

Form: 343-33P

Christmas In April^h¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ned Curtis⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 113

15/2

Has been crying out for a trip and softer ground in recent races. Gets both here on a reduced mark and with handy rider good value for his claim.

Form: 1435-3

Capsy De Mee^p1⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 112

25/1

Tends to finish his races off weakly and cheekpieces are now fitted. Mark looks about right and yard are in form, but he has appeared better on quicker ground.

Form: 953-236

Comely²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 106| D

5/1

Form is a mixed bag and she has bled in the past. Scored on comeback and, having gone well fresh in the past, it is by no means certain she will run to that same level here.

Form: 3432-31

Plantagenet²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 106| BF

20/1

In trouble when coming to grief over fences at Hereford last month. Had rattled off a four-timer in August-October on quicker ground than this and current mark may be up with events.

Form: 11112U

Eddy^t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 105

25/1

Wide margin winner at Exeter in October and has gone well there since. Has bumped into two well treated winners on his last two completed starts and not without an each-way chance here.

Form: 6512U2

Kings Temptation^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: D A Jacob| T: B I Case| OR: 105

20/1

Improved with a tongue-tie on penultimate start but that form has been undermined since. Took a heavy fall four weeks ago and the claims of others in this are more persuasive.

Form: 85242F

One Of Us²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 105

13/2

Dam was a useful staying hurdler and is related to Rule The World. Meets Comely on 7lb better terms with 7L to find following their recent Taunton clash. May have more scope to improve than that rival, particularly as the race was not run to suit.

Form: 4/3343-4

Miss Yeats²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 103

16/1

Tackles a trip that matches her pedigree for the first time. Will be better for her latest run and likely to go well at a decent odds.

Form: 3526-33

Non-Runners

Here Comes Molly⁸²

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: Mrs Tracey Barfoot-Saunt J: Alex Edwards

Forecasts

Forgetthesmalltalk (7/2), Comely (5/1), One Of Us (13/2), Christmas In April (15/2), This Is It (8/1), Now Mcginty (8/1), Miss Yeats (16/1), Plantagenet (20/1), Kings Temptation (20/1), Hatchet Jack (22/1), Eddy (25/1), Natter Jack Croak (25/1), Capsy De Mee (25/1), Here Comes Molly (66/1), Ready Token (66/1)

Nicky Henderson has drawn a blank with his four previous runners in this but is well represented here with recent Taunton scorer, Comely, and potential improver Christmas In April. The Royal runner will attract most attention, but she may the type best caught when fresh and she may struggle to confirm form with ONE OF US. Nick Williams charge fits the bill in terms of pedigree as his dam was a useful staying hurdler. The pace of that Taunton race was uneven and he was caught out when the sprint developed. A truer test is more likely here and he can reveal his true worth. Miss Yeats could go well at a price over a trip more in line with her pedigree, whilst Forgetthesmalltalk hails from an in-form yard and has improved with each run. Eddy has been holding his form and has each-way claims for a yard that are going well.