12:40 Ascot

Saturday 18 December 2021

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

Foundation Developments Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 5m 57.49s

Young Butler²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 121

6/1

Built on hurdles debut promise at Chepstow (19.4f) when landing a 9-runner maiden over the same C&D. Opening mark looks fair and likely there's plenty more to come now faced with a stiffer test.

Form: 4-31

Go Steady^t¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 120

12/1

Five-time chase winner who, following a wind op, opened his account in this sphere on return at Leicester (20.5f) 16 days ago. 5 lb rise fair and should be in the mix if his stamina holds out.

Form: 133-131

Glencassley³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 120WS

20/1

Landed the odds on first 2 starts in this sphere prior to coming up short in a Grade 2 Cheltenham novice. Since undergone a wind op and needs to raise his game now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 51/6-115

Father John⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 118

40/1

Bumper winner who left previous hurdles form well behind when scoring at Worcester in September. Solid third off this mark on subsequent Carlisle handicap bow (2½m), but this is more demanding.

Form: 1/8-5P13

Enormouse²⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁵⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 116

66/1

Showed fair level of ability when placed in maiden/novice company at Chepstow on final 2 starts of last season, but sizeable step forward needed now upped in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 3205/23-

Honor Grey⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 113

22/1

Runner-up in Ayr maiden hurdle in January and bettered his handicap debut effort when third upped to 23.6f on return at Chepstow. Should pick up a race before long, but others preferred this time.

Form: 4/4428-3

Gaulois²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 113| BF

10/1

Placed in Irish maiden hurdles last term and performed to a similar level when third on yard debut at Chepstow(19.4f). Needs improvement now upped in trip for this handicap bow, but that's possible.

Form: 32-3

Next Left³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: G & J Moore| OR: 112

20/1

Stepped up on hurdles debut when hitting the crossbar in 20.5f Plumpton novice last month. That form is nothing special, but he's another who possesses potential now upped in trip/handicapping.

Form: 4-232

Johnny B¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Page Fuller| T: C J Down| OR: 112

50/1

More good efforts than bad ones last season, but no impact in a couple of runs this time round and he's now 0-10 over hurdles.

Form: 32-2305

Imphal²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 111| BF| D

6/1

Has sprouted wings since upped in trip and left with too much to do when bidding for the four-timer at Lingfield (23f) last time. Will benefit from stronger handling here and he needs considering.

Form: 2-41113

Itsnotwhatyouthink³⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford| OR: 109

66/1

Runner-up both starts in bumpers and hit frame in pair of novice hurdles at upto 20.5f thereafter. However, well held on handicap bow at Sandown when last seen in February.

Form: 2/2330-

Pass Me By²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 109

12/1

Confirmed hurdles debut promise when battling well to land the odds in 6-runner Huntingdon novice (25f). Good chance that there's better to come now that he ventures down the handicap route.

Form: 3-431

So Said I²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 109

13/2

Seemingly benefited form the step up to this trip when opened her account in a mares' novice at Exeter. Mark looks fair now handicapping and she should have a part to play.

Form: 342-421

Delgany Monarch³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: R Rowe| OR: 108

33/1

Performed well above market expectations when third on hurdles debut at Lingfield last November, but it's fair to say that he has subsequently failed to build on that promise.

Form: 3/3355-5

Ardhill^b1¹¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Adam Wedge| T: G Elliott| OR: 104

4/1

Just one effort of note in Ireland so far and hopes here very much pinned on the first-time blinkers sparking improvement.

Form: 30009-0

Thirtyfourstitches²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 103

9/1

Likeable front-runner who scored on debut for new yard at Fontwell in October. Good second here next time and latest run can be excused, so he's not without each-way hope in an open race.

Form: 617124

Forecasts

Ardhill (4/1), Imphal (6/1), Young Butler (6/1), So Said I (13/2), Thirtyfourstitches (9/1), Gaulois (10/1), Go Steady (12/1), Pass Me By (12/1), Next Left (20/1), Glencassley (20/1), Honor Grey (22/1), Delgany Monarch (33/1), Father John (40/1), Johnny B (50/1), Enormouse (66/1), Itsnotwhatyouthink (66/1)

There should be plenty more to come from Chepstow maiden winner YOUNG BUTLER now that he moves up in trip in what should be a truly-run race. The 5-y-o gets the nod ahead of the Gary Moore-trained duo Next Left and Imphal, with the former feared more despite jockey bookings suggesting that he is the second-string. Pass Me By also has claims, along with Go Steady and So Said I.