13:50 Ascot

Saturday 23 January 2021

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Matchbook Better Way To Bet Holloway's Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 49.22s

Janika³⁴³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 147| DWS

5/1

Grade 2 winner over fences during 2019/20 campaign and wasn't disgraced on British hurdles debut at Cheltenham last January. Has undergone a wind op and resumes in this sphere on an attractive mark.

Form: 4/14442-

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Botox Has³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 144

10/1

Returned with 2m Cheltenham conditions event success, but has come up short switched to handicaps the last twice and needs to get back on track now upped in trip.

Form: 121-140

Lightly Squeeze^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 140| D

9/1

Rapid progress last term and, having undergone a wind op and fitted with a first-time tongue strap, he was a fine third in valuable handicap here (15.7f, soft) on return last month. Couldn't rule out.

Form: 111F-73

Kateson^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: T Lacey| OR: 139| D

11/1

Back on track since returned to this sphere, responding well to first-time cheekpieces (retained) to score over 2½m at Aintree (heavy) latest. 5 lb rise fair enough and he needs considering.

Form: 2542-81

Nordano^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: J E Moore| T: N B King| OR: 138| CD

50/1

Did well last season, culminating in a wide-margin C&D success on deep ground. However, well held both starts this time round and remains 11 lb above that winning mark.

Form: 4321-50

War Lord³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 138| BF| D

9/1

Solid second to Arrivederci on return at Wetherby prior to going one better at Haydock. Not disgraced back at the latter course latest, but one suspects that the handicapper has his measure for now.

Form: 418-213

Arrivederci^t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137| BF

6/1

Improved when making a winning return/handicap bow at Wetherby in October. Held every chance when falling 3 out at Haydock next time and though disappointing here on his latest, he merits respect.

Form: 721-1F0

I K Brunel⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 136| D

9/1

Dual hurdles winner last term and, following a couple of runs over fences, he wasn't entirely disgraced back in this sphere at Newbury (3m, good) last time. However, this demands a clear career-best.

Form: 841-238

Danny Kirwan⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| CD

14/1

Useful bumper winner who opened hurdles account in C&D maiden in November. Stamina stretched upped to 3m in a Cheltenham Grade 2 since and very much one to consider back down in trip on handicap bow.

Form: 22/6-316

Dans Le Vent⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 132| D

14/1

Arguably better than ever when narrowly landing a competitive handicap back in this sphere following 13 months off Hereford (19.7f, soft). Up 4 lb in a tougher race now, but not without each-way hope.

Form: 230/U2-1

Paddys Motorbike^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 131

9/2

Improved performer over hurdles for new yard this season, winner of Uttoxeter maiden and Huntingdon novice (both at around 2½m on soft/heavy) the last twice. One to consider.

Form: 232/311

Craigneiche³⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: N J Henderson| OR: 127

14/1

Bumper winner who built on promising hurdles debut when landing a 10-runner Doncaster novice (20.8f, heavy) last January. Absent since, but armed with plenty of potential now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 131-

Forecasts

Paddys Motorbike (9/2), Janika (5/1), Arrivederci (6/1), Lightly Squeeze (9/1), War Lord (9/1), I K Brunel (9/1), Botox Has (10/1), Kateson (11/1), Craigneiche (14/1), Dans Le Vent (14/1), Danny Kirwan (14/1), Nordano (50/1)

This is significantly tougher than the races PADDYS MOTORBIKE has landed on his last 2 starts, but he's clearly on the up and is appealing back in a handicap under conditions that he evidently relishes. Arrivederci looked progressive prior to misfiring here last time and is feared, along with unexposed handicap debutants Craigneiche and Danny Kirwan.