14:05 Ascot

Friday 23 November 2018

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

David Brownlow Charitable Foundation 'Introductory' Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 44.20s

Commanche Red⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| D

7/2

Kempton bumper winner could hardly have been more impressive on hurdles bow at Fontwell where he won despite being heavily eased down by 16L. Doubt he beat much there so this much tougher but couldn't have done much more.

Form: 316-1

Didtheyleaveuoutto²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Gifford| CD

9/4

Dual bumper winner including a Listed contest here made a winning start over hurdles at Fakenham last month. Only won by a neck there but travelled really smoothly and always had matter in hand on run in. Tougher race now but smart prospect.

Form: 110-1

Highest Sun²¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132

16/1

Easy winner of lone hurdles start in France at Chateaubriant back in April where he won by 16L. Changed hands for €125,000 after that and joined powerful yard in fine form so very much one to consider here.

Form: 1-

Thomas Darby²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| D

15/8

Won both career starts to date, a Huntingdon bumper and recent Cheltenham maiden hurdle where despite running green he won by 3¼L. Second boosted the form since and looks a very smart prospect indeed so rates the one to beat here.

Form: 11

Another Go⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: R J Smith

100/1

63-rated dual flat winner (both in 2016) was third in lone hurdle race back in April but beaten 41L. Struggled since on the flat and looks to have a huge task on his hands here.

Form: 3-

Benny's Bridge⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

10/1

Market Rasen bumper winner on debut was third next in a warm Newbury contest and second on hurdles bow at Chepstow last month where he didn't find much under pressure. More to come from him but Chepstow winner let form down since.

Form: 13-2

Rock Steady²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

33/1

High class flat performer (94 rated) made an error strewn hurdles debut here when he eventually unseated his rider two out just as he was making headway. Must brush up his jumping but with the right trainer to do so. Not ruled out.

Form: U

Ratoute Yutty³⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| DWS

8/1

Three-times placed in bumpers before bolting up by an eased down 13L at Navan on hurdles bow last November. Not seen since and now changed yards to prolific trainer so merits respect with likelihood she is ready to do herself justice fitness wise.

Form: 623/521-

Forecasts

Thomas Darby (15/8), Didtheyleaveuoutto (9/4), Commanche Red (7/2), Ratoute Yutty (8/1), Benny's Bridge (10/1), Highest Sun (16/1), Rock Steady (33/1), Another Go (100/1)

THOMAS DARBY won what looked a decent Cheltenham maiden hurdle last time out earning 25/1 quotes for the Supreme Novices Hurdle. It is too early to be thinking of him in those terms but he can take another positive step here and remain unbeaten. Didtheyleaveuoutto was value for more than his winning margin at Fakenham and the way he travelled should stand him in good stead in this stronger race. Highest Sun bolted up in his lone hurdles race in France and is in the 'could be anything' bracket so can't be ruled out.