14:25 Ascot

Saturday 18 January 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

Matchbook Holloway's Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 48.06s

Thomas Darby⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 151| BF

8/1

Dual novice winner second in what is beginning to look a poor renewal of the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham. Not looked a natural over fences so reverts to hurdles and an interesting runner first-time in a handicap for bang in-form yard.

Form: 2312-23

Song For Someone⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: James Nixon⁽⁵⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 149

7/1

Progressive second-season hurdler hosed up first-time out at Fontwell (2m1½f, soft) before finishing a solid third in a warm Sandown handicap. Must improve again to defy this mark but that's all he's done so far.

Form: 2116-13

Ballymoy⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 149| BF| CD

9/2

Most progressive last season and won this off a 2lb lower mark. Three seconds over fences this season perhaps marginally disappointing but not enough to think he's lost any form. Big player now back over hurdles.

Form: 176-222

Soul Emotion²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148

10/3

Won first two for Nicky Henderson and lightly raced thereafter. Signs of a revival when third at Newbury last time in a 2m4½f handicap of a similar ilk. Another step forward needed but possible with yard red-hot.

Form: F11/5-73

Pic D'Orhy^t⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 146

7/1

Grade 1 placed in France and highly touted by champion trainer himself for last season's Triumph where he disappointed. Fell on only run since in French Grade 1 but serious danger he's well in here off 146 and could be the answer to the puzzle.

Form: 1F220-F

Bold Plan⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 140| D

3/1

Well-backed and duly delivered in a warm Haydock handicap when last seen in November. 10lb hike in the weights demands more of him here but as just a six-year-old he probably has more improvement to come.

Form: 3312-01

Jolly's Cracked It^t⁷⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 135| CWS

14/1

Off 706 days when winning a 1m7½f handicap here in November '18; his fourth course score. Four uninspiring efforts since mean that hopes lie with wind surgery reviving him today.

Form: 0/105P-0

The Knot Is Tied⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Jack Tudor⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 122| DWS

20/1

Showed liking for this game after transferring to Neil King last term, winning at Newbury in March when upped to this sort of trip first time. Pulled up in both starts this season but had wind op since last run. This toughest task to date.

Form: 2221-PP

Forecasts

Bold Plan (3/1), Soul Emotion (10/3), Ballymoy (9/2), Song For Someone (7/1), Pic D'Orhy (7/1), Thomas Darby (8/1), Jolly's Cracked It (14/1), The Knot Is Tied (20/1)

Despite having leading home challenger Quel Destin Paul Nicholls was at pains last season to tell all of how he thought PIC D'ORHY was a genuine contender in his own right for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham. He and Quel Destin disappointed but in a handicap off this mark he has to be considered potentially well in given his Grade 1 placed hurdles form in France. This is a seriously competitive contest however and last year's impressive winner Ballymoy and impressive Haydock scorer Bold Plan are both strong contenders too.