14:35 Ascot

Sunday 25 March 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Sport Relief/GBR Billion Steps Challenge Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 51.10s

Malaya²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134| D

7/2

Two from six over hurdles, figures of 2122 since joining this yard, latest second behind Redicean in Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton entitles him to leading claims now and fresher than some of these.

Form: 2-12122

City Dreamer⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 134| D

10/1

Twice a winner earlier in the season, then 4L second behind Malaya in Listed Wetherby contest in November. Fit from recent AW spin and should throw his hat in the ring.

Form: P31122

Eragon De Chanay¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| D

5/2

Excellent Sandown success earlier in the month, outgunned in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham since, this will be three runs in 15 days, which is a concern.

Form: 313417

Knight Destroyer¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| D

7/1

Progressed from low grade Flat handicaps (turf), and was a ready 28L winner at Uttoxeter (2m, good to soft) on just his second hurdles start in mid-October. Early faller in Fred Winter at Cheltenham.

Form: 2123F

Turning Gold¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125| D

7/2

Ran well for a long way in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham before fading to 10L fifth, will appreciate the softish going and this less competitive environment. Should go well.

Form: 22415

Comrade Conrad^p⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| D

16/1

Going the right way in three hurdles starts, winning at Ludlow in January before finding things tough off this opening handicap mark at Taunton. Still learning, may find a few of these are further down the line.

Form: 415

Shine Baby Shine¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 119| D

10/1

Filly was an impressive winner of a soft-ground novice contest at Catterick earlier this month. Opening handicap mark gives her a chance, though she'll have to build on that to score again.

Form: 5321

Jumping Jack²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 115

12/1

Succession of runner-up finishes now stands at four, in this competitive heat may find at least one too good again and must improve significantly to make the frame.

Form: 432222

Ladofash^p⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Reed⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 105

50/1

Hasn't achieved much in four starts over timber, leaving facing a stiff task in amongst these and not helped by being 3lb wrong at the weights.

Form: 3575

Forecasts

Eragon De Chanay (5/2), Malaya (7/2), Turning Gold (7/2), Knight Destroyer (7/1), City Dreamer (10/1), Shine Baby Shine (10/1), Jumping Jack (12/1), Comrade Conrad (16/1), Ladofash (50/1)

Paul Nicholls comes here with MALAYA having skipped the Fred Winter and that might pay off handsomely. He ran fine race behind Redicean in the Adonis and looks to be on a fair mark going handicapping. Turning Gold is perhaps best of the Cheltenham posse, with Eragon De Chanay having had a busy time of things and Knight Destroyer an early faller there. All three would have claims on best form. City Dreamer cannot be factored out of contention.