15:55 Ascot

Saturday 30 October 2021

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Stella Artois Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 3m 45.41s

John Betjeman²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 113| D

100/1

Fair hurdle winner who ran no sort of race in first-time blinkers back on the Flat at Goodwood recently and is clearly vulnerable under a penalty in a race of this nature.

Form: 8264-13

Super Six^h³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| D

11/2

Dual bumper winner who proved good enough to force a dead-heat with a useful Flat recruit on Perth hurdle debut 37 days ago, despite a mixed round of jumping. Sure to progress as he gains experience.

Form: 1150-1

Fine Casting²⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| D

4/1

Put experience to good use when making all in good style at Newbury in January. Did too much too soon when well held in Aintree Grade 2 on final start but remains a good hurdle prospect.

Form: 5210-

Highstakesplayer³⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey

40/1

Fair form when placed first 2 starts in bumpers. Well beaten at Wetherby last time, though, so bit to prove now going hurdling after 10 months off.

Form: 325-

Kandoo Kid^t²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| DWS

11/1

Kapgarde gelding from the family of top stable performer Politologue and confirmed bumper debut promise at the second attempt when off the mark at Taunton (16.5f) in March. Hurdle bow. Had wind op.

Form: 431-

Mexico²⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| D

22/1

Fairly useful in bumpers, opening his account at the fourth attempt at Catterick (15.7f, heavy) in February. Should have a future over hurdles but this is tough starting point.

Form: 2041-

Peking Rose^t²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

9/4

Built on his Carlisle debut win when fourth of 6 in a listed contest here in December. Progressed again when second of 18 in Grade 2 event at Aintree on final start and type to do well over hurdles.

Form: 142-

Truckin With Paddy²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: P G Murphy

150/1

Winning pointer at ninth attempt who didn't go without promise in a novice hurdle at Chepstow on Rules debut 22 days ago but is most likely one for later on.

Form: P/422-16

Howzat Valtat²¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

150/1

Ran to just a poor level in a brace of bumpers last season and sets out over hurdles in a warm-looking contest, so others preferred.

Form: 86-

Shallwehaveonemore²²⁴

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

2/1

Authorized gelding who made an impressive winning bumper debut at Kempton (2m) in March, quickening to lead over 1f out and in command soon after. Exciting prospect for hurdling.

Form: 1-

Non-Runners

Mister Watson¹⁷⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: B Pauling J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Shallwehaveonemore (2/1), Peking Rose (9/4), Fine Casting (4/1), Super Six (11/2), Kandoo Kid (11/1), Mister Watson (14/1), Mexico (22/1), Highstakesplayer (40/1), John Betjeman (100/1), Truckin With Paddy (150/1), Howzat Valtat (150/1)

A race littered with potential. SHALLWEHAVEONEMORE quickened clear in good style to make a winning bumper debut at Kempton in March and could just be too speedy for his more stoutly bred rivals over this trip on this switch to hurdling. Peking Rose and Fine Casting head the opposition, along with Super Six, who has race fitness/hurdle experience on his side.