Coral Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Ascot Hurdle)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 39.05s

Old Guard^p⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 152| D

7/2

Likable and consistent nine-time winner has started this season in the same vein with three solid efforts. Stayed on for third last week at Cheltenham in the valuable Greatwood over a sharp enough 2m½f. Always goes well and trip and ground ideal.

Form: 174-223

We Have A Dream¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 156| BF

5/2

French import won first five starts for this yard culminating in Aintree Grade One. Shade disappointing on return when third at Wincanton (If The Cap Fits second) but this longer trip may be needed now and he can turn the tables here.

Form: 11111-3

Babbling Stream^p1,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: B Barr| OR: 135| D

100/1

Former Irish trained gelding is a three-time winner over hurdles but at a level a long way short of this. Beaten out of sight in a three-runner chase on stable debut and likely to be similar here.

Form: 141743

If The Cap Fits¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 150| D

4/5

Winner of five of his seven starts to date including first three hurdle races. Some 7L ahead of main rival We Have A Dream on pair's seasonal reappearance last time. Step up in trip should be little concern and should go very close once again.

Form: 14/111-2

Rayvin Black^p²¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Garner| T: O Sherwood| OR: 132

66/1

Nine time winner including twice over fences last season. Looks out of his depth here on the balance of form and probable this just a pipe-opener before he returns to handicaps.

Form: 2U1315-

Tomngerry²¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: B Ellison| OR: 135

40/1

Smart novice in 2016 but missed 576 days afterwards and only won once since in a three-runner AW contest where he started at odds of 1/25. Unseated rider when last seen and at this level now he has plenty to prove.

Form: 2F441U-

Forecasts

If The Cap Fits (4/5), We Have A Dream (5/2), Old Guard (7/2), Tomngerry (40/1), Rayvin Black (66/1), Babbling Stream (100/1)

On all known recent form this is a three-runner race. Smart novices WE HAVE A DREAM and If The Cap Fits look set to dominate with Nicky Henderson's top juvenile of a year ago getting the vote despite the latter coming out on top at Wincanton. This track and trip will suit Barry Geraghty's mount considerably better and he is taken to turn the tables now. Old Guard doesn't know how to run a bad race but will probably have to settle for third giving weight away to these younger smart prospects.