13:00 Ascot

Saturday 16 February 2019

All12:3013:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:00

Ascot Supports Berkshire Community Foundation Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 4m 42.85s

Ballyandy²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 148

11/2

After a slightly frustrating time over fences he returned to winning ways back over hurdles latest. Up 6lb for that but could be capable of better with hurdles seemingly more suitable.

Form: 4P-3P41

Master Blueyes⁷⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 145

10/1

Smart juvenile in 2017 with his highlight in the Grade Two Adonis at Kempton. Off 701 days since Triumph Hurdle that year so hard to gauge here but market may guide as to readiness.

Form: 422110/

Brio Conti¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 141| D

14/1

Returned from 446 days off latest when pulled up at Sandown in a valuable handicap. Entitled to have needed that so can fare better here but others more obvious nonetheless.

Form: 8115/1-P

Air Horse One²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 140| CD

10/1

Not won since 2017 but now well treated on several pieces of form. Second at Taunton last time out a step back in the right direction and as a past C&D winner he's interesting here.

Form: 23P-702

Malaya⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 137| C

14/1

Former French trained mare won twice for this yard last season but things not gone to plan this term with falls in both starts. Handicap wise she may remain too high given she was beaten latest when coming to grief.

Form: 2218-FF

Sussex Ranger^b1⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 136

15/2

Took advantage of a class drop latest when gaining a confidence boosting win at Fontwell over Christmas. Upped for that and this now more competitive. Blinkers added for the first time.

Form: 127-901

Darling Maltaix^h³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| C

15/2

Impressive handicap winner here over 2m5½f on soft ground but couldn't follow up 12lb higher at Kempton on good. Softer surface maybe what he needs but looks stable third string jockey wise.

Form: 342315

Umndeni²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130| D

7/2

Off the mark over hurdles latest when a comfortable winner of a Fontwell maiden. This represents a big step up in class but opening handicap mark entirely reasonable so capable if overcoming inexperience.

Form: 1-45U1

Cloudy Glen⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 127| D

5/1

Won twice in quick succession at Haydock and Chepstow with more aggressive tactics seeming to suit. 12lb higher now so life gets tougher but could remain on the up so can't be ruled out by any means.

Form: 6235-11

Honest Vic^v1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 121| BF

14/1

Slightly disappointing at Wincanton latest when fifth but several competitive pieces of form off this mark before that and with visor now added could be capable of a return to form despite being 1lb out of the handicap.

Form: 55-6425

Tight Call⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 120

14/1

November Hereford maiden winner ran well in first handicap at Wincanton when second of 14 over 2m5½f. This trip will likely suit better but 2lb wrong at the weights and never encountered ground with any give.

Form: P31122

Forecasts

Umndeni (7/2), Cloudy Glen (5/1), Ballyandy (11/2), Darling Maltaix (15/2), Sussex Ranger (15/2), Air Horse One (10/1), Master Blueyes (10/1), Brio Conti (14/1), Honest Vic (14/1), Malaya (14/1), Tight Call (14/1)

AIR HORSE ONE ran better last time out and in this very tricky handicap he now appeals as being off a very competitive mark at a track he clearly performs well at. Ballyandy is always of more interest over hurdles and the decision to run in this rather than the Betfair is interesting. Cloudy Glen is much higher in the weights now but has been vastly improved the last twice.