15:05 Ascot

Friday 21 December 2018

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Thames Materials Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 33.85s

Kapgarry³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁶⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130

14/1

Won a Wetherby novice hurdle before running respectably when fifth in a much stronger contest at Cheltenham. Of interest for a stable which does well with its novices in handicaps.

Form: 512-215

Solstice Star^p,t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Stock⁽³⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 129

16/1

In great heart since returning to action in the autumn with back-to-back wins over 2m7½f at Chepstow. Drops in trip off significantly higher mark, but is a threat nonetheless.

Form: 664-811

Zero Grand^t1²⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: J Farrelly| OR: 127WS

50/1

Dual winner over hurdles, but not at his best when last seen at Wincanton in April. Returns to action after a wind operation.

Form: 11/7PU7-

Pilansberg^b,t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| D

12/1

First outing since wind surgery and a break when well held over 3m at Newbury. Down 3lb and shorter distance may help, while the assistance of a top jockey is a plus.

Form: 93219/0

No Hiding Place^p²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁸⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126

9/1

Ended a frustrating run when scoring well in first -time cheekpieces (retained) under this jockey at Kempton. More to do off 7lb higher, while softer ground poses a question.

Form: 682321

Bradford Bridge⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124| BF

25/1

Hurdle wins at Worcester and Exeter before struggling over fences at Stratford. Swift switch back to timber and is one of the more interesting contenders.

Form: P-62118

Le Musee^p,t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Buckley⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 124

11/4

First-time cheekpieces and well backed when second to a progressive sort at Newbury last time. Up 4lb, but is one for the short list on form and with underfoot conditions to suit.

Form: 2210-92

Darling Maltaix^h¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122| BF

9/1

Still looking for his first success after nine starts over hurdles. Good efforts under this jockey on last two outings, however, so no surprise to see him figure again.

Form: 92-3423

Sam Red^p,t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: William Marshall⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 122

33/1

Back to hurdles after failing to complete over fences on last two starts. This looks to be a confidence-boosting exercise.

Form: 8-051PF

Milrow^p,t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Daniel Sansom| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 120

40/1

Not at his best in three starts this season, but handicapper is relenting. Needs to show more before entering calculations.

Form: 302-F06

Always Resolute²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Edward Austin⁽⁸⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 116

4/1

Bounced back to form under this jockey on first run for new trainer at Wetherby last month. More to do off 10lb higher, but dangerous to rule out.

Form: 57-3F21

Hit The Highway^p,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Reed| T: C Gordon| OR: 115

12/1

Probably needed his return to action at Newbury last month and is better judged on a couple of good runs in the spring. Feasibly handicapped if back on song.

Form: 5P032-9

Little Boy Boru¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 113

50/1

Might have disliked the heavy ground when pulled up at Sandown last time on his first run for two years. Hard to know how much ability he retains, so a watching brief is advised.

Form: 54732/P

No No Juliet¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁶⁾| T: O Sherwood| OR: 98| D

11/2

Easily best effort so far when winning a Fontwell handicap 10 days ago. Turned out under a 7lb penalty but, given her new mark, she is 6lb well in.

Form: 65-3441

Non-Runners

Call To Order²⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 8

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Vaziani¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: R Walford J: Philip Donovan

Forecasts

Le Musee (11/4), Always Resolute (4/1), No No Juliet (11/2), Darling Maltaix (9/1), No Hiding Place (9/1), Hit The Highway (12/1), Pilansberg (12/1), Kapgarry (14/1), Solstice Star (16/1), Vaziani (16/1), Call To Order (16/1), Bradford Bridge (25/1), Sam Red (33/1), Milrow (40/1), Zero Grand (50/1), Little Boy Boru (50/1)

Bottom-weight No No Juliet will have her supporters under her penalty for winning at Fontwell and has to go on a lengthy list of strong contenders which also includes Always Resolute, handicap debutant Kapgarry, Solstice Star, Bradford Bridge and stable companions Pilansberg and Darling Maltaix. However, the vote goes to LE MUSEE, who chased home a potential top-notcher in Champ at Newbury and faces nothing of that calibre this time off the same mark.