14:25 Ascot

Saturday 15 February 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3716:1016:45

Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 4m 38.67s

Altobelli^p,t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 137| CD

11/4

Won first 2 starts over hurdles and good efforts when placed twice here (both at 15.7f) last season. Looked rusty after 10 months off when runner-up at Doncaster in December and fitting of cheekpieces had a very positive effect when landing 11-runner C&D handicap a month ago. 5 lb rise very fair.

Form: 9/230-21

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Samarrive¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136

28/1

Smart winning hurdler but lightly raced in recent seasons and it hasn't really happened over fences, shaping as though amiss on return from a year off in November. In good hands but has plenty to prove returned to timber.

Form: F333/2-4

Joyeux Machin¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 133

6/1

Useful for Paul Nolan in Ireland but struggled in varied events in 2024. Finding his feet for this yard, shaping with a serious amount of promise when third in a big-field handicap at Wetherby a fortnight ago. Now looks well weighted with Harry Skelton taking over.

Form: FP-7053

Rightsotom^t1⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 131| D

12/1

Looked promising in spring 2023 for Thomas Mullins and all the fitter for return to action when landing a few bets at Doncaster in November. Raised 8 lb and brushed aside at Newbury a month later, failing to jump with the same fluency. Tongue tie on first time.

Form: 64/1-715

Classic King²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Rex Dingle| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 131| D

9/1

Fairly useful novice hurdler last season. Has had his share of issues over fences this term (albeit he did win a handicap chase at Doncaster) but return to timber was in his favour when scoring back at that venue 3 weeks ago, quickening clear and better than ever in the process. One to consider.

Form: 2-U81U1

Tintintin^t⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 126

10/1

Made good strides forward last season, typically proving strong at the finish to land a big-field handicap over 16.8f at Cheltenham in April. Sound-enough efforts in defeat to end 2024 and way he shaped last time suggests he's worth a go at this trip.

Form: 11-3546

Into The Park⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 125| BF

9/1

Plenty about him physically and improved when bagging a Newbury maiden and Taunton handicap (both at around 2m) early this year. After 7 months off, possibly needed the run in Silver Trophy at Chepstow in October and he ran right up to form when second of 5 at Exeter 2 months later.

Form: 3114-02

Patriotik⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122

5/1

Point winner who opened Rules account in a 2½m Ffos Las novice in March. Sound start to life in handicaps when fifth in Silver Trophy at Chepstow (19.5f) in October (strong form) and cast aside a mishap at Haydock when second at Aintree in December. Returns with yard in good order.

Form: 32-25U2

Country Park^p1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 121

22/1

Shade unlucky not to have won a race under Rules, going best when falling 2 out over 21.6f here in December. Not given a hard time once the winner had got away over same C&D a month ago and appeals as the type to raise his game in handicaps fitted with headgear.

Form: B232F2

Jour D'Evasion^t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: H D Daly| OR: 121

11/1

Novice hurdle winner last season and second to smart mare at Sandown (2m) in November. Continued the good work since, running out a ready winner of 5-runner contest at Hereford a month ago. Up 5 lb in a better race but he's likely to give it a good go.

Form: P3-U221

Moveit Like Minnie^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 119| D

12/1

Made winning chase debut at Stratford (17f) but went the wrong way next 3 starts, running out twice. Fared better back hurdling with visor added when fourth of 18 at this course (15.7f, good to soft) in December, and C&D third behind Altobelli confirms he's back in good order.

Form: 1URR43

Non-Runners

Spirit D'aunou²²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: Non Runner

La Pinsonniere²³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Tapley⁵¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: Miss S Smith J: Harry Bannister

Forecasts

Altobelli (11/4), Patriotik (5/1), Joyeux Machin (6/1), Classic King (9/1), Into The Park (9/1), Tintintin (10/1), Jour D'Evasion (11/1), Moveit Like Minnie (12/1), Rightsotom (12/1), La Pinsonniere (14/1), Spirit D'aunou (16/1), Country Park (22/1), Samarrive (28/1), Tapley (33/1)

Plenty to consider but the eye is drawn to JOYEUX MACHIN. Having offered little in a brace of outings over 2m upon joining Dan Skelton, he shaped with abundant promise upped in trip at Wetherby last time and with Harry Skelton on for the first time, a big run is surely forthcoming. Altobelli reacted really well to cheekpieces when successful over C&D last time and his revised mark is perfectly fair, with Country Park also considered at longer odds for this handicap debut.