Ascot IJF Ambassador Programme Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 3m 57.26s

Goshen⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 143| D

1/5

Improver on the Flat and showed he possesses a massive engine in runaway successes at Fontwell (23L) and Sandown (34L) both on soft ground. Among the favourites for the Triumph Hurdle and expected to pass the test in his prep for that.

Form: 11

Nordano^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: N B King| OR: 126| D

14/1

Twice a winner over hurdles earlier in the season but held in last three starts and no match for smart juvenile Allmankind in Grade 2 and 1 races the last twice. Meets a rival of similar ability in Goshen today so up against it.

Form: 11343

Manucci²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 129

10/1

23L second to Goshen first-time over hurdles at Fontwell before duly going one better next time at the same course where he won with plenty in hand despite losing a shoe. 4lb pull with Gary Moore's prospect unlikely enough to turn the tables.

Form: 21

Homer²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| BF

5/1

Won twice at Clairefontaine (1m6f and 1m4f) during the summer before finishing third in 1m7f Longchamp group 3 for Andre Fabre. Evens favourite for stable/hurdles debut at Kempton but only third. Sure to improve now but needs to.

Form: 3

Kapitaliste⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn

100/1

Maiden on the Flat in France was tailed off on hurdles debut at Wincanton in October and looks to have a mountainous task on his hands now.

Form: 7

Forecasts

Goshen (1/5), Homer (5/1), Manucci (10/1), Nordano (14/1), Kapitaliste (100/1)

If GOSHEN was trained by Nicky Henderson or Paul Nicholls he would be a short-priced favourite at this point for the Triumph Hurdle. His two demolition jobs over hurdles have shown him an extremely powerful galloper who should be ideal for the Cheltenham contest. He is fancied here to win and advertise his claims as the best domestic juvenile going into the Festival. With Nordano relatively exposed and Manucci already a victim of the selection, Homer may be the best alternative.