15:55 Ascot

Sunday 24 March 2024

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

Ascot Shop Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 5m 45.0s

Face d'Music^t1¹¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Katy Price| OR: 108

9/2

£100,000 purchase having been placed only start in Irish points and encouragement to glean from his second place finishes in a pair of 2m4f Hereford novice hurdles in November. Entitled to do better granted this stiffer test of stamina.

Form: 322

Much Too Dear¹³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: L Horsfall| OR: 107

9/2

Has run to a fair level over hurdles so far, best effort when runner-up in maiden at Kempton last May. Looked rusty when fourth there in November and is entitled to come on from that now handicapping. Interesting.

Form: 536-2B4

Johnny B³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: James Davies| T: C J Down| OR: 106

33/1

Off for over a year off before winning 3m handicap hurdle at Wincanton in December but he's been pulled up both starts since. Has something to prove.

Form: 33P-1PP

Redbridge Rambler^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 103

15/2

Returned to form when runner-up in 2m4f handicap at Sedgefield last month. Needs to back it up and he's 0-10 now though.

Form: 662002

Rebel Intentions^t⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 102| C

10/1

Twice a winner over hurdles this season but his good run of form came to a halt here in December. Didn't take to fences at Huntingdon last time so he needs to get back on track.

Form: 12136P

Touch Of Thunder⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: James Best| T: C Poulton| OR: 102

22/1

Modest in bumpers and has only run to a similar level in 4 starts over hurdles, fifth of nine in Fontwell handicap last time. Others preferred.

Form: 5-57665

Nickelforce⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: B I Case| OR: 101

4/1

Built on previous promise to get off the mark in 12-runner handicap hurdle at Plumpton (20.5f, soft) 62 days ago. Up 6 lb but weighted to go well again and this longer trip is a likely plus too.

Form: 65-4241

Strackan⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 101

10/1

In the frame on his first two runs over hurdles but he ran a moody race when pulled up on his handicap debut at Wetherby (19.7f, heavy) 89 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 4-43P

Perculator^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 100| BF| D

12/1

Bumper winner who found some improvement for first-time cheekpieces when opening her hurdling account at Wetherby (3m) in January. Good fourth of six at Carlisle (25f, heavy) since so she can go well again off an unchanged mark.

Form: 264-614

The Bold Thady^p³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss Thomosina Eyston⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 100

13/2

Weak finisher who has yet to win but he does have consistent form figures, third of ten after 9 months off in 3m Wincanton handicap last month. No forlorn hope.

Form: 2243-23

Vengeance⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryony Frost| T: W De Best-Turner| OR: 99

66/1

100/1, first run since leaving Harry Whittington when tenth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Sandown (19.8f, heavy) 58 days ago. Lots more needed if he's to gain his breakthrough success.

Form: 3/2305-0

Outside Adesa¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Sean Houlihan| T: M Hunt| OR: 97

40/1

Runner-up both outings in Irish points but he failed to build on previous efforts when only ninth at Taunton (3m) on his handicap debut 13 days ago. Shouldn't be written off though.

Form: 22-P659

Totowolfe^t1⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 96| D

40/1

Winning Irish pointer who shaped as if he'd be better for the run when fifth of 16 in Exeter maiden hurdle in December. Well held at Chepstow and back at Exeter since however. Tongue strap applied for his handicap debut with lots more required.

Form: PP/1-568

Non-Runners

A Definite Getaway²

Weight: 12-2| Age: 6

T: P & M Bowen J: Non Runner

Mac's Legacy²⁸

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: Miss R Curtis J: Ben Jones

Forecasts

Nickelforce (4/1), Much Too Dear (9/2), Face d'Music (9/2), The Bold Thady (13/2), A Definite Getaway (13/2), Mac's Legacy (7/1), Redbridge Rambler (15/2), Rebel Intentions (10/1), Strackan (10/1), Perculator (12/1), Touch Of Thunder (22/1), Johnny B (33/1), Outside Adesa (40/1), Totowolfe (40/1), Vengeance (66/1)

Plenty are in with a shout. NICKELFORCE deservedly got off the mark at Plumpton last time and can make light of a 6 lb rise in the weights now his stamina is drawn out more. Much Too Dear starts out in handicaps on a lenient mark and could emerge as the chief threat after his break, with Perculator and Face d'Music well in the mix too.