15:00 Ascot

Saturday 17 February 2018

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Ascot Spring Garden Show Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 4m 56.1s

Court Minstrel⁶³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 149| D

40/1

Very useful handicap hurdler on his day, these big field handicaps bring the best out in him as he needs a good pace but looks handicapped to the hilt at present and better ground would suit.

Form: 2F4193

Fixe Le Kap⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143| BF| DWS

6/1

Capable of useful form over hurdles and certainly has the scope to jump fences, but very disappointing when beaten at long odds-on at Plumpton on chase debut. Reverts to hurdles today, and has the class for this, but trip asks a new question too.

Form: 128/2-12

Stowaway Magic⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 140| BF| D

7/1

Back over hurdles after an aborted novice chase campaign (twice beaten at short odds), may have some improvement in him but needs it off this mark and best form to date has come on quicker ground.

Form: 1512-22

Kildisart⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 135| BF| CD

3/1

Had already shown plenty before stepping into handicaps last time out, stayed on well to claim second and this track may suit a little better. Improvment likely and he should handle conditions, so one of the more likely ones.

Form: 2/2-212

Dieg Man⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 130| D

3/1

Has won a couple of northern handicaps with ease since joining this yard, not off the bridle to win at Catterick last time. This clearly a lot harder, but unexposed and no saying how far in front of his mark he is. Respected.

Form: 43-2111

Solstice Star^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Stock⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 128| D

25/1

Has mixed fences with hurdles this season but all to no avail, and form has become progressively worse. Hopes are pinned on wind surgery that he's had since last being seen to turn things around. Very risky.

Form: 6-32456

Le Patriote^p1²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: B S Hughes| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 127| BF

4/1

Has shown promise on both starts since joining this yard, and is the type that the trainer does well with. Little disappointing last time but this step back up in trip likely to help, and good jockey booking. Shortlisted.

Form: 1-58974

Friday Night Light^p,t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 122| BF

12/1

Winner on handicap debut at Newbury last month and followed that up with a good second to one that looked well weighted at Taunton last time. Upped in trip here, so that's an unknown, but that aside, going the right way and has chances.

Form: 3212

Vivas^p1,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 121| D

16/1

Wins in his turn but it tends to be at a lower grade than he's tackling today. Far from disgraced over C&D last time out but that's probably as good as he is, and the places may be the best he can hope for.

Form: 8-12935

Forecasts

Kildisart (3/1), Dieg Man (3/1), Le Patriote (4/1), Fixe Le Kap (6/1), Stowaway Magic (7/1), Friday Night Light (12/1), Vivas (16/1), Solstice Star (25/1), Court Minstrel (40/1)

Not easy to solve. Kildisart looks to hold a decent chance, as there's the promise of more to come, but a chance is taken that the first time cheekpieces will work the oracle on LE PATRIOTE, as he looks just the type that Dr Newland does well with, and the promise he showed in a competitve Lanzarote can be fulfilled here. Friday Night Light and Dieg Man both a have a little more on their plates here but both are improving fast and neither can be discounted.