12:40 Ascot

Friday 19 December 2025

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

Howden Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 5m 24.49s

Samuel Spade²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 127| C

6/1

Five-time winner over hurdles, including a career best here (23.5f) in February. Better effort in 3m Newbury handicaps this season when seventh of 11 last time and he might come on again for a yard which continues in good form.

Form: 8157-97

Lord Snootie⁴³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Jamie Brace| T: Christian Williams| OR: 125

20/1

Fairly useful staying hurdler but absent since a disappointing chase debut at Chepstow in October 2024. Best watched on return unless the betting strongly hints otherwise.

Form: P2P2/87-

Kapal Layar⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Lewis Saunders⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 124| BF

8/1

Progressive over hurdles last term, improving for step up in trip when taking maiden at Chepstow (19.5f) and handicap at Perth (2½m). Disappointing on Carlisle reappearance but his overall record suggests he's worth another chance.

Form: 44211-0

Whatsupwithyou^b,t³¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Elliott England⁽¹⁰⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 124| CD

14/1

Veteran who made all at Ludlow (21f) in February and ended last season with a good second at Cheltenham in April. Pulled up after a bad mistake on reappearance but subsequent fourth of 5 at Lingfield (19.5f) suggests he retains most of his ability.

Form: 3162-P4

Punta Del Este^p,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Rian Corcoran⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 123

7/1

Useful hurdler for Dan Skelton but well beaten all 4 starts for current yard. Could only consider if backed.

Form: 535-7P5

Goodwin^v³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon| OR: 123

11/2

Front-runner who landed his second handicap win of the season when seeing off 8 rivals in 20.5f Plumpton handicap 32 days ago. Should remain competitive off 8 lb higher.

Form: P01451

El Galactico³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Bradley Harris| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 121

6/1

Winner of small-field novice hurdles at Uttoxeter (23, good to soft) in June and Plumpton (20.5f, good) in November. Improvement will be needed to extend the winning run to 3 on handicap debut but his unexposed profile provides the hope for better again.

Form: 211

Mount Anglesby⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Toby McCain-Mitchell| T: A Ralph| OR: 117| C

6/1

Has made a positive start for this yard, finishing runner-up in maiden/handicap at Worcester before going one better in 19f course handicap in November, all under today's rider Toby McCain-Mitchell. Another prominent showing is likely.

Form: 131-221

The Gray Ghost^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Charlie Price| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 116

7/2

Bumper winner who got off the mark over hurdles in a 2½m Newcastle novice back in January. Has been competitive handicaps since and this trip is more suitable for him than the 15f he tackled at Wincanton 15 days ago. Now 1 lb lower than when runner-up at Musselburgh last season.

Form: 127-645

Godot^p³²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Freddie Mitchell| T: A Irvine| OR: 109

40/1

In good form over hurdles last winter, including a win at Lingfield (19.5f, good to soft). Got to be a chance he'll need this after 10 months off, though.

Form: 4/43122-

Lucky One²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Roisin Leech⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 107

25/1

Patchy form, running a good race when third at Newton Abbot in October but well held at Chepstow since. Others are more obvious.

Form: 6-47036

Moviddy²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Joe Anderson| T: Noel Williams| OR: 105

50/1

Finally got off the mark over fences at Wincanton in March but hasn't reproduced that form since, including back hurdling here last month. Easing in the weights but need to see more.

Form: 2216-57

Forecasts

The Gray Ghost (7/2), Goodwin (11/2), El Galactico (6/1), Mount Anglesby (6/1), Samuel Spade (6/1), Punta Del Este (7/1), Kapal Layar (8/1), Whatsupwithyou (14/1), Lord Snootie (20/1), Lucky One (25/1), Godot (40/1), Moviddy (50/1)

Although KAPAL LAYAR flopped on his reappearance his overall record is progressive and he can probably be given another chance. Last month's course scorer Mount Anglesby is second choice ahead of handicap newcomer El Galactico and last season's course winner Samuel Spade.