15:35 Ascot

Saturday 19 December 2020

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

Betfair Exchange Trophy (Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 51.90s

Buzz²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 148| CD

13/2

Useful on the level and quickly developed into an even better hurdler, posting a smart performance when making it 3 wins in 5 starts in C&D handicap last month. More to come and big player.

Form: 114-31

Master Debonair⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 147| CD

40/1

Dual C&D winner last term, including Grade 2 novice on heavy. However, very disappointing on Wincanton reappearance and this opening handicap mark looks tough even if recapturing his best.

Form: 5/2113-6

Botox Has²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 146| D

16/1

Took another big step forward with victory in 2m Cheltenham conditions event on reappearance. Seemingly no excuses when fourth in 2m Newbury handicap (good) but the return to testing ground may help.

Form: 2/121-14

Kid Commando²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 143| CD

16/1

Quickly reached a smart level over hurdles, reappearing with C&D listed handicap win in October. Possibly stretched by a 3f longer trip when only sixth at Haydock since and contender back at 2m.

Form: 2513-16

Harambe³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 142| D

18/1

Won Greatwood at Cheltenham last November and in the process of making a creditable return to action when falling at the last in this year's renewal of that race.

Form: 12/71B-F

Not So Sleepy²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: H Morrison| OR: 142| CD

20/1

Front-runner who won this is off 15 lb lower 12 months ago. Did well on the Flat this autumn but inauspicious return to hurdles in Fighting Fifth last month, putting brakes on an unseating at first.

Form: 5/110P-R

West To The Bridge^h²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

22/1

Has returned in fine form over hurdles, winning 2½m Carlisle handicap last month. Didn't quite see out 3m in competitive event at Haydock latest and now down markedly in trip. Yard won this twice.

Form: 175-215

Malaya^t1⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| CD

12/1

2019 Imperial Cup winner who ended last season with a second in 19f handicap here and as good as ever when chasing home the reopposing Kid Commando on C&D reappearance. Tongue tie on. Respected.

Form: 0/3602-2

Arrivederci^t1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 138| BF| D

5/1

Had a next-time-out winner behind in second when landing Wetherby handicap in October. Close up and travelling well when falling 3 out at Haydock next time. Remains open to progress. Tongue tie added.

Form: 3721-1F

Lightly Squeeze^t1⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 137| DWS

22/1

Rapid progress last term, every chance when falling last in Betfair Hurdle in February. Better than result when sixth in Welsh Champion on return to hurdling. Had wind op since (also tongue tied now).

Form: 3111F-7

Oakley⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137| D

22/1

Failed to get his head in front last season but largely acquitted himself well and he posted another creditable effort when third of 11 in 2m Wetherby handicap on reappearance in October.

Form: 33270-3

Benson^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 137| D

5/1

Bumper winner who has upped his game over hurdles this term, making it 3-3 when seeing off 9 rivals in heavy-ground Sandown handicap a fortnight ago. Raised 10 lb but still respected.

Form: 4R7-111

Night Edition^h²⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 135| D

33/1

Did well on coming over from France last winter, running a blinder when second of 22 in Fred Winter at Cheltenham Festival in March. Lightly raced so may have an even bigger performance in him.

Form: 4212-

Cormier³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: D A Jacob| T: B Ellison| OR: 133| D

33/1

Fair on Flat and has taken well to hurdles, winning maiden/novice in October. Fair seventh in Greatwood at Cheltenham and should be wiser with that experience of a big-field handicap behind him.

Form: P117

Time Flies By²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| OR: 129| BF| D

7/1

Useful bumper winner who showed definite promise in pair of Grade 2 hurdle contests around the turn of the year. Beaten in 19f maiden here on reappearance but still rates an improver now handicapping.

Form: 1235-2

Belfast Banter^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 129| D

10/1

Off mark over hurdles in 2m maiden at Galway in October. Good second in novice at Punchestown (17f, heavy) since. Pitched in at deep end on handicap debut but yard does well with runners over here.

Form: 225312

Isolate³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 128| D

14/1

Fairly useful on Flat and going right way over hurdles, winning novices at Taunton and Leicester. Strong-travelling style provides hope that he'll be suited by the demands of race like this.

Form: 2-311

Forecasts

Benson (5/1), Arrivederci (5/1), Buzz (13/2), Time Flies By (7/1), Belfast Banter (10/1), Malaya (12/1), Isolate (14/1), Botox Has (16/1), Kid Commando (16/1), Harambe (18/1), Not So Sleepy (20/1), Lightly Squeeze (22/1), Oakley (22/1), West To The Bridge (22/1), Cormier (33/1), Night Edition (33/1), Master Debonair (40/1)

A host with chances in what is always one of the most competitive handicaps of the season. ARRIVEDERCI looked set to play a big part in a warm race at Haydock when departing at the third last so is perhaps worth another chance to show he's still on a good mark. Buzz, October's C&D 1-2 Kid Commando and Malaya and Harry Fry's Lightly Squeeze, who has had a wind op, head the many possible dangers.