12:15 Ascot

Saturday 31 October 2020

All12:1512:4713:2013:5514:3215:0515:4016:17

tote.co.uk Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 12:17 | Winning time: 4m 48.70s

Ask Henry^t1⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 118

7/1

Left with a simple task when opening account over hurdles at Musselburgh in February. Not disgraced in 3 novices this term but hard to argue he looks well treated now handicapping. Tongue tie added.

Form: 431-324

Pianissimo^b²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Graham Carson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Carson| OR: 117

12/1

Fairly useful stayer on Flat. Not at that level when reaching the frame in maiden/novice hurdles but that Flat ability does provide him with the potential for better now handicapping.

Form: 43

Sometimes Always³⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Tudor| T: Ian Williams| OR: 116

17/2

Promise in bumper and 2 novice hurtles last winter and appeals as the sort to go on to better things in handicaps. Needs keeping close eye on in betting under Jack Tudor.

Form: 544-

Xcitations¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 115

6/1

Unexposed sort who made an encouraging start in handicaps when 14 lengths second to a big improver on Fakenham handicap debut/reappearance 15 days ago, keeping on from too far back.

Form: 65F37-2

Le Grand Fromage^t³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Jason Dixon⁽⁶⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 115

5/1

From a good jumping family but has yet to better form, beaten around 15 lengths into third on 2m Bangor reappearance. Step back up in trip may help but others boast stronger claims.

Form: 2P47-3

No No Maestro²⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 114

13/2

Runner-up in sole bumper. Showed some promise in madien/novice hurdles subsequently for Oliver Sherwood and appeals as one who could go on to better things in handicaps for new yard.

Form: 2468-

College Oak³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 113

9/2

Posted career best when winning Uttoxeter novice hurdle in August. Not seen to best effect when fifth on Newton Abbot handicap debut but this mark does demand more.

Form: 2/124-15

Northern Poet²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tabitha Worsley| T: N J Gifford| OR: 108

11/2

AW bumper winner. Promise when third in pair of novice hurdles nearly 8 months apart and should have more to offer now handicapping for a yard which has been among winners. Respected.

Form: 1243-3

Towards The Dawn²⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁶⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 105

14/1

Clear promise when third in Ludlow maiden hurdle on debut in January 2019. Restricted to just 2 runs since, failing to complete either occasion, so has a bit to prove now handicapping on return.

Form: 3/PF-

Non-Runners

Electron Bleu²⁴⁷

Weight: 12-2| Age: 6

T: Tim Vaughan J: Non Runner

Calvinist²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 7

T: K Frost J: Non Runner

Forecasts

College Oak (9/2), Le Grand Fromage (5/1), Northern Poet (11/2), Xcitations (6/1), No No Maestro (13/2), Ask Henry (7/1), Electron Bleu (7/1), Calvinist (8/1), Sometimes Always (17/2), Pianissimo (12/1), Towards The Dawn (14/1)

NO NO MAESTRO could easily have more to offer now moving into handicap company for new trainer Fergal O'Brien and he gets the nod, with confidence increased should the market speak in his favour. Northern Poet and Sometimes Always are others who appeal as likely improvers in handicaps and head the dangers along with Pam Sly's Xcitations.