13:15 Ascot

Saturday 3 November 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

Gardiner & Theobald Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 4m 37.8s

Amanto^t⁶⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: A Stronge| OR: 119

50/1

Made the frame in eight of 13 hurdles including last five. Kept on the go this summer winning at Epsom and making the frame on three other occasions. Almost two years since last handicap hurdle so hard to gauge current mark.

Form: 47/2233-

Atomic Rumble^t¹⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 117

6/1

Won last two hurdles at Ffos Las (2m6f) and Aintree (2m4f) in the summer. 5lb rise for latest success doesn't look overly harsh so looks a leading contender once again here.

Form: 7400-11

The Twisler¹⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 117

10/1

Off the mark comfortably enough as you would expect from a 2/7 fav at Uttoxeter when last seen in July. That was a very weak race so this handicap mark high enough but still lightly raced.

Form: 83-2631

Darling Maltaix^h¹⁷⁷

7/1

Yet to win for current connections (won French bumper) but ended last season with a solid effort when third at Wincanton. Struggled in only previous handicap but 8lb lower now and had a wind-op in the summer so better expected.

Form: 53F92-3

New Quay^t²⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 115WS

11/4

Third in last two of his three novice hurdles, both over 2m2½f at Market Rasen last season. Had a wind-op since and has plenty of scope for improvement with an extra 1f a positive on what we've seen so far.

Form: 31/833-

Templepark^p1²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 115

11/1

Placed in all five races under rules with two seconds in novice hurdles at Uttoxeter the most recently where he has jumped pretty soundly. This a little more competitive but open to improvement at this early stage of hurdles career.

Form: 1/22322

Ballyfarsoon^v¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 114

40/1

Second in all three novice hurdles to date with two of them recently at Sedgefield and Worcester. Jumping could still improve which could be problematic but also gives a reason for possible improvement.

Form: 222

It's Got Legs²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 113

13/2

Steps into handicap for the first time on the back of four straight thirds in novice/maiden events. Steps up slightly in trip now which may suit and should be competitive off this mark.

Form: 8U33-33

Desiremoi D'Authie^h⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 113| BF

20/1

Two handicaps in the summer for Alan King saw him finish fifth in each. Debut for this yard latest saw him second as favourite for a Fontwell novice hurdle. Lower mark now but good bit more needed.

Form: 603-552

Corzeam^h,t²⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Jack Savage⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 113

50/1

Pulled up in first three hurdle races before finally completing and finishing third at Lingfield to end last term. Open to improvement given how little we have seen of him but risky especially given he's twice refused.

Form: 4R/PPP3-

Shanroe Tic Tec^p1²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 107

20/1

Little to recommend him in first two starts for this yard but running much improved race and looked booked for second until falling at the last at Uttoxeter last time. Potential he can build on that and not ruled out here.

Form: 35-409F

Chequered View^h²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: M Keighley| OR: 105

7/1

Built on promise of hurdles debut third when winning last month at Southwell where she made all. This a step up in class but she has plenty of time on her side and should appreciate a step up in trip.

Form: 4340-31

Throckley^h,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 104

22/1

Fourth in handicaps the last time since switched from novices where he just had two starts. Gets a little help from handicapper but overall impression is that he remains high enough.

Form: 65/4244

Uno Mas^p1¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Christian Williams| OR: 94

14/1

Unplaced in eight starts to date although latest two fourths in handicaps at Market Rasen and Exeter have been his best two races so far. Cheekpieces now tried but needs a bit more in a stronger race here.

Form: 090544

Forecasts

New Quay (11/4), Atomic Rumble (6/1), It's Got Legs (13/2), Darling Maltaix (7/1), Chequered View (7/1), The Twisler (10/1), Templepark (11/1), Uno Mas (14/1), Shanroe Tic Tec (20/1), Desiremoi D'Authie (20/1), Throckley (22/1), Ballyfarsoon (40/1), Amanto (50/1), Corzeam (50/1)

Winning form here is scarce so ATOMIC RUMBLE somewhat stands out as he seeks a hat-trick and he certainly has the best handicap form on offer. In may ways Darling Maltaix and New Quay bring similar claims to the table with both ending last term in third and each having summer wind-ops for top yards. They are both possible improvers now and represent the two biggest dangers.