12:55 Ascot

Saturday 2 November 2024

All12:5513:3014:0514:3515:1515:4516:20

Grundon Waste Management Conditional Jockeys' Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:56 | Winning time: 4m 36.28s

Katate Dori^p,t¹⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 111

7/2

Bumper winner during early 2023 who reached a fair level over hurdles last term, creditable third with cheekpieces enlisted in 11-runner handicap at Wincanton (21.3f) during the spring. Stable have made a bright start to the campaign but he will need to jump better on seasonal bow.

Form: 1/83333-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Ballytechno²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Calum Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 109

7/1

Showed minor promise in bumpers and different proposition sent hurdling for new yard, confirming promise of his Worcester second when opening his account in a Huntingdon maiden 919.6f) 25 days ago. Remains with plenty of potential now handicapping.

Form: 38/4721

Patanita¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Gearoid Harney⁽³⁾| T: G Nicholls| OR: 109

50/1

Won a point bumper and a bumper under Rules in spring 2022. Encouraging effort after 22 months off when third on hurdles bow at Huntingdon (19.6f) in March but took a backward step when well-beaten fourth of 6 in novice at Kempton (21f) in April. Opening mark demands progress on return.

Form: 11U/34-

Gentleman's Relish¹⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 108

10/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who was pulled up first 2 starts in maiden hurdles but much more like it following an absence when third of 8 in a Kempton maiden (21f) in May. Remains with potential now handicapping for top stable.

Form: 0/1PP-3

Time In The Sun¹⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Alice Stevens| T: H D Daly| OR: 107| BF

28/1

Left previous efforts over hurdles behind when second on qualifying run in 14-runner mares' novice at Wincanton (21.3f, soft) in February. Looked held when falling later that month and again below form when well held fourth in mares' maiden at Perth in April. Others preferred on return.

Form: 2402F4-

Hell Hound^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 106

3/1

Won second of 2 starts in bumpers in April and followed up on hurdles bow at Southwell (20.4f) in June. Returned with an encouraging third under a penalty in a Fontwell novice (17.7f) 4 weeks ago, and that ought to have put him spot on for first crack at handicaps from an appealing mark.

Form: 2/01-13

Nachtgeist²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Freddie Mitchell| T: G & J Moore| OR: 100

13/2

Useful at best on Flat and he comes here having produced his best effort yet over timber when second of 8 in handicap at Huntingdon (19.6f) 25 days ago, bad mistake last not helping his cause. Remains low mileage in this sphere but this is tougher.

Form: 6325-2

Easter Icon⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽¹⁰⁾| T: G Brown| OR: 96

20/1

Fair handicapper on the Flat and left his qualifying form over hurdles well behind when landing 12-runner handicap at Fontwell (21.7f) in August. Good chance there's more to come judged on that display but this is a much deeper contest.

Form: 6U-891

Star Of Affinity^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Freddie Gingell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 95

4/1

Had previously shaped like more of a staying type but showed benefit of wind surgery/application of a tongue strap after 5 months off when winning 18-runner handicap at Exeter (16.7f) 23 days ago. Feasible to think he can do better still back up in trip.

Form: 0F43-P1

Rubies Or Gold³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: James Turner⁽³⁾| T: Christian Williams| OR: 92

22/1

Placed on the second of 2 starts in Irish bumpers (for Mags Mullins). Showed some promise on qualifying runs over hurdles but no immediate impact for switch to handicaps kept to around 2m last month. This stiffer test ought to suit at least.

Form: 378569

Non-Runners

Don't Tell Su¹⁹⁷

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Freddie Gingell

Forecasts

Hell Hound (3/1), Katate Dori (7/2), Star Of Affinity (4/1), Don't Tell Su (9/2), Nachtgeist (13/2), Ballytechno (7/1), Gentleman's Relish (10/1), Easter Icon (20/1), Rubies Or Gold (22/1), Time In The Sun (28/1), Patanita (50/1)

With his hurdles debut success back in the summer having been well advertised by the runner-up since, HELL HOUND produced a promising comeback run over a trip likely to prove short of his optimum at Fontwell 4 weeks ago. Starting out in handicaps from a very appealing mark, he earns the vote ahead of another improving sort in the shape of Ballytechno. Katate Dori, on seasonal bow, Gentleman's Relish and Don't Tell Su are just a trio of others worthy of a second look.