13:30 Ascot

Friday 23 November 2018

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:50

Royal Ascot Racing Club 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:32 | Winning time: 4m 38.90s

Easter Eric²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

18/1

Southwell bumper third in May made return last month but could never get involved on hurdles debut as he was eventually beaten 22L into fifth at Aintree. Much more needed now and must brush up his jumping.

Form: 35

El Hageb Rose¹⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

50/1

£85,000 son of Coastal Path finished sixth beaten 10½L in lone bumper start back in May at Plumpton. Form working out reasonably well from that race but still looks to have a bit to do on hurdles debut after the break.

Form: 6

Geordie B²²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams

20/1

Geordieland gelding who was bought for £40,000 as a three-year-old made all to win an uncompetitive heavy ground Hereford bumper in April but form not worked out too well. Makes hurdles bow now but with very different conditions.

Form: 1-

Igor

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson

9/4

Debutant by Presenting is a half-brother to a Flat winner and dam a Grade 3 winner over hurdles. Yard does exceptionally well with novice hurdlers including first time up so fully expecting him to make his presence felt.

Form:

Moonlighter²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams

6/4

Bangor bumper winner on debut made a pleasing start over hurdles at the same venue last month when third of 13 beaten 6¾L. Should strip fitter now and as the only runner with hurdles experience he has to be considered here.

Form: 16-3

Scorpion Haze²²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: A Stronge

14/1

Placed in three of his four bumpers with the most recent a 7L second at Plumpton back in April. Bred to appreciate staying hurdles/chases so should take to the obstacles but others appeal more.

Form: 4232-

Westbury²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood

7/2

Won despite looking a very difficult ride on debut at Huntingdon in a bumper in May beating a horse who has won three times since. A little keen at Chepstow last month when third but form overall looks solid and merits consideration on hurdles bow.

Form: 13

Non-Runners

Breaking Waves²⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: Noel Williams J: Wayne Hutchinson

Forecasts

Moonlighter (6/4), Igor (9/4), Westbury (7/2), Breaking Waves (7/2), Scorpion Haze (14/1), Easter Eric (18/1), Geordie B (20/1), El Hageb Rose (50/1)

BREAKING WAVES won a big field bumper on debut last season and acquitted himself well to start this campaign in a strong Cheltenham contest. One of seven hurdles debutants his bumper form encourages the most so he gets the nod here. Igor is the most feared rival purely based on the fact that he hails from the all-conquering Nicky Henderson yard which mops up novice hurdles at an unmatched rate. Moonlighter is the only horse with prior experience over hurdles and his third at Bangor offered enough encouragement to suggest he will go close.