13:15 Ascot

Saturday 20 December 2025

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

Karen Codd Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 7f 123y | 9 Runners | Turf

Fresh Kicks¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 120

10/3

Built on his Kempton hurdle debut second when comfortably landing short odds in maiden at Plumpton (20.5f, soft) 19 days ago. More to come for his top yard now handicapping.

Form: P25-21

Mount Gay Run³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 113

4/1

Fair form in bumpers and similar level over hurdles, including good second in 2m Southwell maiden (soft) on last month's reappearance for new trainer Dan Skelton. Back up significantly in trip. It's likely he has more to offer for this yard.

Form: 45/34U-2

Havefunontherun²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 113

15/2

Showed promise in a Huntingdon bumper before making a winning start over hurdles at Worcester (2m, good to soft) in May. Better form in defeat since, including going down only narrowly on 20.5f Southwell handicap debut last month. Up in trip again. Unlikely he's reached his limit after only 4 runs.

Form: 4-142

Duel Au Soleil^t,p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 111| BF

10/1

Some promise in a pair of bumpers and has improved with each run over hurdles, opening his account in first-time cheekpieces after 5 months off (had breathing op) in 10-runner handicap at Wetherby (21f, good) in October. Good third stepped up to 3m at Southwell since. Not discounted.

Form: 6-52213

Jakar Du Moulin^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 110| D

13/2

Point winner who showed promise in 3 qualifying runs last season and made a sound start to his handicap career when fifth of 9 over 23f at Exeter on reappearance 33 days ago. Entitled to come on for the outing.

Form: 1/24U-5

Buzz Iceclear²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 109| D

4/1

Much improved in handicaps over 3m this season, winning at Ayr (soft) and Wetherby (good to soft) in November. Even a 10 lb rise may not stop him with further progress likely.

Form: 6367-11

Dixie Mafia^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 107| D

13/2

Winning Irish pointer who showed improved form over hurdles when second of 8 on Aintree handicap debut over an extended 3m a fortnight ago. Yet another in this line-up who may have more to offer.

Form: 1U4-852

Gasmani²⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: David Dennis| OR: 106| D

33/1

Bumper winner who reached the frame in all 4 hurdle outings last season, including a handicap. Returns from an 8-month break in a really competitive race so a watching brief is advised this time.

Form: 19/4443-

Doctor Midas²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 105

8/1

Fair maiden hurdler who built on his Fontwell reappearance third when second of 8 over C&D (soft) 4 weeks ago. Has to enter calculations.

Form: 5234-32

Forecasts

Fresh Kicks (7/2), Buzz Iceclear (4/1), Jakar Du Moulin (6/1), Dixie Mafia (6/1), Mount Gay Run (6/1), Doctor Midas (7/1), Havefunontherun (10/1), Duel Au Soleil (10/1), Gasmani (33/1)

A really interesting novice handicap. BUZZ ICECLEAR looked a stayer firmly on the up when scoring twice last month and might be able to defy the handicapper again. Nicky Henderson's recent Plumpton maiden winner Fresh Kicks is almost certainly capable of better again now handicapping and is second choice ahead of Doctor Midas, a good second over C&D last month, Mount Gay Run and Havefunontherun.