14:25 Ascot

Saturday 19 January 2019

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

Matchbook Holloway's Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 4m 48.70s

Ballymoy²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 147| D

5/1

Took record to five from seven over hurdles when again successful latest in a 2m3f Haydock handicap on heavy ground. Up a further 5lb here but quicker surface equally suited so no reason he won't again make a bold bid.

Form: 111-141

Djingle^h⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143

14/1

Dual winner in France but yet to hit the heights in two starts for this yard finishing fourth of five at Exeter last season and unseating when beaten in a three-runner chase in only run this term. Best yet to come perhaps but risky at present.

Form: 4114-U

Boite²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 140| D

14/1

Only 1lb higher than winning mark at Taunton last January but that due largely to a run of rather average form. Impossible task latest in Christmas Hurdle but best judged on previous two midfield handicap runs.

Form: F05-575

Seddon²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: T R George| OR: 137

4/1

Bumper and novice hurdles scorer coped well with step up in class last twice finishing third in Grade Two novices here and at Cheltenham over 2m. Longer trip looked likely to benefit him there so big chance in first handicap.

Form: 10-133

Better Getalong²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| OR: 135

8/1

Winner of two bumpers and two novice hurdles and made a pleasing start to second season over timber when second to Ballymoy at Haydock beaten 4½L. 5lb better off now and will strip fitter so claims for stable in tremendous form.

Form: 1312P-2

Man Of Plenty^t²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-11| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 132

20/1

Fourth in this race last year and remained competitive until winning easily on heavy ground at Haydock. Rare lesser effort latest here off this 9lb higher mark suggested he is now too high for such a contest.

Form: 650410

New Quay^t⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| BF| CD

10/1

Impressive C&D novices handicap winner made odds-on next under a penalty at Newbury but finished last of six. Possible latest came too soon so that run can be excused and he therefore has to be considered here.

Form: 1/833-16

Colonial Dreams²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 129| CD

10/1

Won two of last three last term in novice company. Just the one race this campaign where he travelled supremely well at Kempton but found little and finished sixth. Fitness boosted and back in trip now so far from dismissed.

Form: 2F11-26

Thosedaysaregone⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: R M Power| T: C Byrnes| OR: 127

9/4

Landed quite a gamble at Wetherby last time despite wandering under pressure where successful by 4½L. 9lb higher mark far from enough to rule him out given unexposed nature so leading claims again.

Form: 82P791

Kelpies Myth^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120

16/1

Dual winner last season but four starts this season suggest he's highly tried off this mark even though he's managed a couple of remote placed efforts. Midfield latest off this mark gives him plenty to find.

Form: 0-P8324

Forecasts

Thosedaysaregone (9/4), Seddon (4/1), Ballymoy (5/1), Better Getalong (8/1), Colonial Dreams (10/1), New Quay (10/1), Boite (14/1), Djingle (14/1), Kelpies Myth (16/1), Man Of Plenty (20/1)

SEDDON has developed into a smart novice for Tom George bases on his Grade Two third's the last twice and both have hinted that he could be even better when upped in trip so he makes plenty of appeal with this opening handicap mark far from unreasonable. Thosedaysaregone is certainly a big danger having won so impressively when heavily backed at Wetherby as is prolific improver Ballymoy who took his record to five from seven latest.