16:05 Ascot

Saturday 22 January 2022

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3516:05

SBK British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 5m 27.81s

Charles Ritz⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: T R George

7/1

12/1, made winning debut in 9-runner novice hurdle at Southwell (20.4f, good) on NH debut 41 days ago. Sure to do better over this longer trip. Considered.

Form: 2-1

Goudhurst Star^t³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: H Fry

28/1

Warwick 19f novice winner before only ninth of 10 when tongue tied in novice hurdle at Newbury 38 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 6-19

Monbeg Genius⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

13/2

6/1, scored at the first time of asking in 10-runner novice hurdle at Ffos Las (20f, heavy) 86 days ago. That form has worked out well, so he's in the mix.

Form: 2-1

Mucho Mas⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling

14/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who matched that level of form when landing 19.4f novice hurdle at Doncaster 42 days ago. Should have more to offer as his stamina is drawn out.

Form: 1P-61

Complete Unknown³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124

15/8

Yet to add to his useful bumper success, but his form is on an upward curve, excellent third in C&D novice last month. Holds leading claims.

Form: U/1-323

Jerrash⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

20/1

28/1, promising debut third of 10 in bumper here 63 days ago. Son of Kayf Tara is much respected on his hurdles debut.

Form: 3

Silver And Gold³⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: W Greatrex

80/1

Hinted at promsie when fifth in bumper at Exeter (8/1) on his debut 12 months ago but off the course since. Goes hurdling now with his fitness to prove.

Form: 5-

Galia Des Liteaux²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

13/8

Points winner who (15/8) scored easily on her hurdling bow in 8-runner novice at Wetherby (19.7f, heavy) 27 days ago, cruising clear from 3 out. Sure to progress.

Form: 11

Forecasts

Galia Des Liteaux (13/8), Complete Unknown (15/8), Monbeg Genius (13/2), Charles Ritz (7/1), Mucho Mas (14/1), Jerrash (20/1), Goudhurst Star (28/1), Silver And Gold (80/1)

COMPLETE UNKNOWN has shown a fairly useful level of form over hurdles despite failing to get his head in front and is taken to gain a deserved first success in this sphere at the chief expense of Galia des Liteaux, who scored by a wide margin on her hurdling bow at Wetherby and rates a big threat. Gary Moore's newcomer Jerrash and Southwell-scorer Charles Ritz need considering too.