16:55 Ascot

Sunday 25 March 2018

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

Iron Stand Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 5m 57.60s

Top Ville Ben^h³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 142| D

10/1

Frontrunner, easy winner at Haydock in December before finding 12lb hike too much in better company at Kempton. Was out in front when falling at Haydock last month. Can't discount.

Form: 6321PF

Onefitzall¹³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137

8/1

Capable sort, fell on only 2017 start at Newbury in November before race began in earnest. Been a funny season for the Hobbs yard, but they've had some winners of late.

Form: 34/215-F

Samuel Jackson⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: R Mitford-Slade| OR: 137| D

3/1

Won his first two over hurdles at Bangor and Taunton over staying trips, far from disgraced (third) in Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Trial on testing ground at Doncaster in January. Entitled to be in the firing line now.

Form: F/12-113

Sir Mangan⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 135| D

25/1

Chased home subsequent Grade 1 winner Beer Goggles at Newcastle in October (3m2½f, good) before scoring over fences at Bangor month later. Well beaten in Grade 3 chases twice and inadequate 2m4f at Uttoxeter next. Step in right direction trip-wise.

Form: 5216P6

Lough Derg Farmer^p⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130| D

10/3

Lightly-raced six-year-old for the champion trainer, has gone well on soft in the past, though weakened late on at Newbury last month. Eased in class now and has potential still.

Form: 5121-P4

Ballyheigue Bay^p,t¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Reed| T: C Gordon| OR: 127| CD

10/1

Brought up a double with C&D win last month, doesn't have a serious amount of miles on the clock for his age, and finished second at Plumpton (3m1f, heavy) 13 days ago from this new mark. Vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 73F112

Sir Will^p,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 124

8/1

Has run well in three hurdles starts this winter, winning a Uttoxeter maiden (3m, heavy) in December after a fall chasing previously. Gone well since at Warwick (3m2f) in handicap but career-best needed from current rating.

Form: 44-5F13

Salmanazar²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: A King| OR: 123| D

7/1

Unthreatening in two runs back from 663-day layoff, though did shape better at Chepstow (3m, soft) last month. Would have a chance off this mark on his old form and too soon to write off entirely.

Form: 14P2/74

Max Forte^p⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Bryony Frost| T: C J Down| OR: 117

5/1

Pulled up in two starts over fences this season and no improvement when tailed off back over timber at Wincanton in January. Bit to prove for now and one to watch unless market vibes are in his favour.

Form: P42-PP7

Non-Runners

Kris Spin⁸

Weight: 11-12| Age: 10

T: Kerry Lee J: Fergus Gregory

Lithic³⁷

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: J & A O'Neill J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Samuel Jackson (3/1), Lough Derg Farmer (10/3), Kris Spin (4/1), Max Forte (5/1), Salmanazar (7/1), Sir Will (8/1), Onefitzall (8/1), Ballyheigue Bay (10/1), Top Ville Ben (10/1), Lithic (12/1), Sir Mangan (25/1)

Top Ville Ben is likely to go off in front and, despite this mark, isn't one to hand too much rope too. Any rain would be a plus for Kris Spin, who carries a 7lb penalty for the win at Fontwell last time. Lough Derg Farmer, Ballyheigue Bay and Lithic could have cases made for them but handicap debutant SAMUEL JACKSON earns the vote. He was not disgraced in a Doncaster Grade 2 last time and appears to have got in on a workable mark off 137 today.