14:40 Ascot

Friday 20 November 2020

All12:2012:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:45

Coral 'Fail To Finish' Free Bet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 3m 49.18s

Nelson River¹⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: A W Carroll| OR: 138

40/1

Fourth in the 2019 Triumph and ran well in last season's Betfair Hurdle. Quiet on the level since the resumption but his mark has fallen back in this sphere and he isn't without a chance.

Form: 164/559-

Brandon Castle¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N B King| OR: 138| D

28/1

Front-runner who landed back-to-back extended 2m Market Rasen handicap hurdles this summer. Stiff tasks the last twice and more at home in this company. Usual tongue tie left off.

Form: 4-41195

Buzz³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 137| D

1/1

Useful on the level and just as good over hurdles, successful twice earlier this year and running a blinder in hot Ffos Las handicap on return, not best placed but not beaten far. Big chance up 1 lb.

Form: 114-3

Clever As A Fox²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 137

66/1

Progressed well upon his return this summer, winning 20f handicaps at Uttoxeter and Perth. Not so good after another 3 months off at Aintree though and drops in trip in another good race now.

Form: 565-110

Ecco^p1³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| BF| CD

7/2

Form: 13200-8

Rosie And Millie^t1²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 130| D

7/1

Easy winner at Ayr (2m) last season before a good second in listed race at Haydock. Should have come on for her Wetherby return after a wind op and tongue tie now on for handicap debut. Jumps right.

Form: P/2120-4

San Seb⁶⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 128| D

14/1

Wide-margin winner of 2m Fakenham juvenile in December 2018, beating one now rated 147. Long absence to overcome now handicapping for new yard but retains potential if all is well. Very interesting.

Form: 3915/

En Meme Temps^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Ross Chapman| T: P A Kirby| OR: 125| C

8/1

Back at the scene of his maiden win in March 2019 (over 19.3f) and should have come on for last month's Aintree return. An awkward sort but he could figure down in trip.

Form: 821/23-6

Eddiemaurice²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Tudor⁽³⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 125| CD

28/1

Good servant for this yard, successful in this in 2016, and he should have come on plenty for last month's return on the level. Top conditional up again and he couldn't be ruled out.

Form: U1/6313-

Kloud Gate⁶⁷⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120| BF

25/1

Took really well to handicap hurdles when last seen in 2018-19, bolting up over longer trips at Leicester and Doncaster. 22-month absence to overcome but remains handily weighted if all is well.

Form: 635116/

The Granson³¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: P Henderson| OR: 112| D

150/1

Narrow winner of 2m novice chase at Tramore last summer but struggled after, pulled up both starts for this yard at the turn of the year. Hard to fancy.

Form: 87/17PP-

Forecasts

Buzz (1/1), Ecco (7/2), Rosie And Millie (7/1), En Meme Temps (8/1), San Seb (14/1), Kloud Gate (25/1), Brandon Castle (28/1), Eddiemaurice (28/1), Nelson River (40/1), Clever As A Fox (66/1), The Granson (150/1)

Another good renewal of this handicap and BUZZ makes all the appeal. He wasn't beaten far having been poorly placed in the Welsh Champion Hurdle Handicap on his return, and with that form proving strong he has cracking claims for his top yard who have won this 3 times since 2010. San Seb and Kloud Gate have long absences to overcome but are both interesting runners. Eddiemaurice can also go well.