12:40 Ascot

Saturday 19 January 2019

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

Rosling King Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 3m 55.9s

Beat The Judge²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| D

3/1

68 rated maiden on the Flat but really took to hurdling with a fluent Kempton win over Christmas. 25/1 that day but third won since to back up the form so no fluke about it and looks a useful recruit so should go close despite the penalty.

Form: 1

Fresno Emery³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: R Walford

8/1

French import was well backed on debut at Fontwell and support proved well founded as he battled to success (two pulled clear). Just his third race here so scope aplenty although may need to improve to be involved.

Form: 3-1

Poucor¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: M R Channon| OR: 118| D

9/2

Lowly flat maiden built on a promising hurdle debut second when fairly running away with a Hereford maiden latest, winning by 15L despite being unextended. Obviously going to be far better over hurdles and likely go well here.

Form: 21

Vlannon^v⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Madgwick| OR: 118| D

6/1

One of the more experienced hurdlers in the field and off the mark latest in fifth race where he beat Chaparral Prince at Kempton, form which ties in closely with Beat The Judge who beat the same rival previously. Form solid but others less exposed.

Form: 24P41

Belargus²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford

10/1

Dual French flat winner for Pascal Bary seemed to tire on hurdles debut at Sandown on heavy ground. Slightly better next at Kempton but only midfield behind Beat The Judge and a 10lb weight pull unlikely enough to turn 15L deficit around.

Form: 56

Honorable¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

12/1

Winner of one of his four starts on the Flat in France where he was trained by MIkel Delzangles and quite well fancied on hurdles bow at Sandown only to make a bad first flight blunder causing his jockey to be unseated. Interesting dark horse.

Form: U

Kenny George⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West

20/1

62-rated flat maiden of five for Mick Channon who raced generally over 1m2f and 1m4f. First hurdle race here and likely up against it as the only complete novice.

Form:

Zafar²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White

11/4

German flat maiden made a most promising start over hurdles at Taunton where he rallied well to finish second of 10. Looked the sort sure to improve further and has genuine claims here in receipt of weight from his main rivals.

Form: 2

Forecasts

Zafar (11/4), Beat The Judge (3/1), Poucor (9/2), Vlannon (6/1), Fresno Emery (8/1), Belargus (10/1), Honorable (12/1), Kenny George (20/1)

A tricky contest this but the vote goes to runaway Hereford maiden winner POUCOR for Mick Channon who could hardly have been more impressive that day. Beat The Judge probably won a stronger race than any of the others past winners have but the extra 4lb for that class 2 race makes life tougher. Despite being a maiden against four past winners Zafar is also respected having run on well for second on debut.