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

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 44.12s

If The Cap Fits^p²³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 160| CD

3/1

Winner of this last year (his best performance at the time) he bettered that display when last seen when successful in the Aintree Stayers Hurdle (G1, 3m). Showed lots of guts to shrug aside a last-flight blunder, back in trip but a leading player.

Form: 1/21321-

Le Patriote^p¹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 154| CD

11/1

Bit to find on bare form but comes here off a break looking for a four-timer having won a big Haydock handicap when last seen (best display yet). Travels well, stays 2m4f although he is a speedy sort, may find himself vulnerable to stronger stayers.

Form: 1P/811-1

Blu Cavalier²¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: A Stronge| OR: 142| D

66/1

Flattered to finish third in the Betfair Hurdle (100-1) in February, first run for the stable having been bought out of a Fakenham seller when finishing second. Well held in Grade 2 company last time; back from a break facing a similarly stiff task.

Form: 1/23235-

Call Me Lord²⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 160| BF

6/4

Smart hurdler (well up to this level) although he was a beaten favourite on both of last season's starts over very different trips (3m/2m). Gave away lots of weight when last seen in the Imperial Cup; trip should suit with weights in his favour.

Form: 1321/73-

Lil Rockerfeller^b⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: N B King| OR: 149| BF| CD

20/1

Winner of this two years ago he's won over fences and on the Flat since then, last seen over hurdles in this years Coral Cup (10th). Lost nothing in defeat over fences last time but likely to find this task too hot to handle these days.

Form: 3530-32

Roksana¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 151| BF| D

5/2

Tough, smart mare who made great progress last year; fortunate winner of G1 Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Showed herself to be up to this level subsequently, only narrowly beaten by If The Cap Fits (penultimate start); made a sound return at Aintree.

Form: 12/312-2

Forecasts

Call Me Lord (6/4), Roksana (5/2), If The Cap Fits (3/1), Le Patriote (11/1), Lil Rockerfeller (20/1), Blu Cavalier (66/1)

Another cracking contest which sees old rivals IF THE CAP FITS and Roksana meet again after they clashed at Aintree earlier in the year and the pair meet on the same terms here. Just a head separated them last time and it could well be close again here especially as the Skelton mare has already shown her wellbeing this year with another good Aintree second to Top Notch. That run will have given the trainer of the winner on that day – Nicky Henderson – a good idea where he stands with the lightly-raced but talented Call Me Lord who has won at this level in similar conditions. Le Patriote steps up in grade and may find this too much of a test given he looks best with a speed test.