12:40 Ascot

Saturday 21 December 2019

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

Foundation Developments Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 6m 22.21s

Mister Tickle²⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: Martin Smith| OR: 119| D

9/1

Cheekpieces worn for his handicap debut are now left off as he returns to action after a fair absence. All his previous form is on far better ground than he'll face today; might find one or two better weighted and may need this outing.

Form: 1U52-2

March Is On^b1³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 118| D

9/4

Took a while to get off the mark over hurdles doing so on his fourth handicap hurdles start at Southwell (improved form after a break). The 8lb rise for that win made life difficulty at Chepstow last time (still in good form); handles conditions.

Form: 3328-14

Easyrun De Vassy^p1²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117| BF| D

7/2

Marked improvement when given a proper test over hurdles last time, upped in trip (has had wind surgery). Only narrowly beaten last time, clearly capable of winning a race such as this; up 5lb from his last run, should relish conditions.

Form: 1155-62

Defuture Is Bright⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: Christian Williams| OR: 108

16/1

Hasn't quite clicked racing under Rules as yet and fare no better than before when upped in trip (2m3f) for his handicap debut. Failed to show much there and the suspicion is that his mark still looks a rather harsh one.

Form: 4-28430

Levasseur^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: B I Case| OR: 107WS

10/1

Handicap newcomer who returns after wind surgery still wearing a tongue-tie; plugged on to finish 14L second last time in a Market Rasen novice (2m2f). Ought to be suited by this 3m trip, has looked to handle soft ground; more needed in this grade.

Form: 229-72

Flowing Cadenza¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 103

4/1

Eased 2lb from her initial mark having shown some reasonable form on her handicap debut last time. Mark still doesn't look that lenient although this test of stamina will suit a lot better; remains with potential, could outrun her odds.

Form: 385-894

Maasai Warrior³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Henderson| OR: 101

16/1

Has been brought along steadily, now makes his handicap debut stepped up considerably in trip (all runs at 2m so far). Needs to improve but the jockey booking takes the eye and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him progress in handicaps.

Form: 453-768

Mister Murchan²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 99| D

8/1

Failed to show his full potential so far in two handicaps and didn't really appreciate the step up 3m last time. Nudged down 2lb after his most recent outing (initial mark looks stiff though); behind Easyrun De Vassy last time, more needed.

Form: 15-2444

Our Nest Egg^h,t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: P Henderson| OR: 95

25/1

Produced a couple of good efforts in handicaps off lowly marks at Hexham and Huntingdon before running no sort of race whatsoever last time. One of two that the trainer runs in this but looks the second string; should find this too tough.

Form: 956220

Non-Runners

Pemberley²⁴

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

March Is On (9/4), Easyrun De Vassy (7/2), Flowing Cadenza (4/1), Pemberley (7/1), Mister Murchan (8/1), Mister Tickle (9/1), Levasseur (10/1), Defuture Is Bright (16/1), Maasai Warrior (16/1), Our Nest Egg (25/1)

Not a particularly easy race to unravel especially in the testing conditions. Paul Nicholls won this race last year with a 16-1 shot and his Easyrun De Vassy with cheekpieces on for the first time is of interest given his good second last time. Blinkers may induce an improved performance from March Is On but he like Pemberley look harshly handicapped. MAASAI WARRIOR is a fascinating contender making his handicap debut and with Richard Johnson booked, this test could well be what he needs to show his best. Flowing Cadenza is another who will appreciate this test (from the family of strong stayer Regal Flow) having looked to need further last time at Wincanton.