15:35 Ascot

Saturday 21 December 2019

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Betfair Exchange Trophy (Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 50.75s

Monsieur Lecoq⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Chester Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 150| D

6/1

Progressive hurdler who goes well in testing conditions proving so when winning at Ffos Las on his return to action. Good efforts since in the Greatwood (third to Harambe) and International Hurdle; handicapper may well in charge off this mark.

Form: 120-134

Turnpike Trip²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: K J Brouder⁽³⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 146| D

6/1

Interesting Irish challenger from a yard that are always to be respected in the market; makes his handicap debut. Ran with credit last time in a Grade 1 novice (not far behind the principals); this demands more (unproven on ground), note market move.

Form: 12114

Mohaayed^t³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| CD

25/1

Last year's winner off this mark he also landed the County Hurdle in 2018 but hasn't been up to the same performance level since. Ninth in the Greatwood last time he looked to be struggling still and it's hard to imagine him making an impact here.

Form: 479-509

Scaramanga¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144| BF| D

20/1

One of two runners for his yard he's starting to look progressive over hurdles winning at Wincanton in fins style last time (looked well ahead of his mark; 132). Open to further progress even off a 12lb higher mark; ground could be a worry though.

Form: 3212-81

Umbrigado²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 142| D

9/2

Stays further than this 2m but does have a generally progressive profile having won three times last term. Returned from wind surgery to run a fine race over 3m at Haydock; reverts to 2m (will need a strongly-run race); not one to rule out easily.

Form: 2/1116-5

Zanza³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 138| D

33/1

Form has a rather uneven thread to it never having managed to follow up one of his four wins. Work to do with three of the field on his Greatwood run last time (ran without usual hood, left off again here); up 2lb now, others look a stronger option.

Form: 101-P16

Countister³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| D

10/1

Seventh to Harambe in the Greatwood she shaped as if retaining all her ability (back from seven months off); likely to be better for that run (travelled well for the most part). Should be sharper now; given a leading chance on ground that will suit.

Form: 115/30-7

Whoshotthesheriff²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 136| D

12/1

Won three novice hurdles earlier this year and was running well on his return when falling at Cheltenham. Showed no ill-effects from that tumble when confirming that he was a handicapper on the up with a Haydock second; respected sort.

Form: 1211-F2

Tamaroc Du Mathan^t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135

7/1

Winner of his only race in France (looks smart form) he very much caught the eye when second to Master Debonair (winner here yesterday) on his debut over C&D. Lacks experience but can't be ignored on his handicap debut with more progress to come.

Form: 1/2

Crooks Peak²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 133| D

16/1

Back down to the mark he won off earlier in the year at Newbury and not disgraced behind some unexposed types including French Crusader at the same course last time. Not out of this and should handle the ground but others have more to offer.

Form: 110-444

Quoi De Neuf³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 133

8/1

Both his efforts in handicaps this season have been very solid with his fourth to Harambe in the Greatwood showing he can hold his own in such contests. Still lightly-raced in handicaps he's still unexposed; looks the type to be suited by this test.

Form: 1/142-24

Sir Valentine²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130| D

14/1

Not long with this yard, a useful sort on the Flat we may not as yet have seen the best of him over hurdles. A faller on his return from a long break he made amends at Newbury, form of his Wetherby second let down here yesterday; handicap newcomer.

Form: F12

Not So Sleepy^t²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 127| CD

9/2

Useful on Flat he made use of being given an easy lead to land a C&D handicap here last time, up 5lb for that win he's still well handicapped on his Flat form. Will do well to pull off similar tactics especially in more testing conditions/company.

Form: 415-1

Non-Runners

Remiluc⁶²⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 10

T: C Gordon J: Tom Cannon

Harambe³⁴

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: A King J: Thomas Bellamy

French Crusader²¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Not So Sleepy (9/2), Umbrigado (9/2), Monsieur Lecoq (6/1), Turnpike Trip (6/1), Tamaroc Du Mathan (7/1), French Crusader (8/1), Quoi De Neuf (8/1), Countister (10/1), Harambe (10/1), Whoshotthesheriff (12/1), Sir Valentine (14/1), Crooks Peak (16/1), Scaramanga (20/1), Mohaayed (25/1), Zanza (33/1), Remiluc (33/1)

The last GB race before Xmas and a real puzzle for backers to unravel. Harambe subject of a stable scare earlier in the week bids to hold off five of the rivals that he beat when landing the Greatwood at Cheltenham off a 6lb higher mark and he must have a good chance of confirming the form. His biggest dangers from that race would be the progressive duo Quoi De Neuf and Countister both of whom should be suited the race scenario. Turnpike Trip should be noted in the market with Umbrigado another of interest moving back in trip. The overall vote goes to TAMAROC DU MATHAN whose C&D second gained a real boost yesterday afternoon; he could be very well handicapped for his debut in this sphere.