12:25 Ascot

Saturday 17 January 2026

All12:2513:0013:4014:2014:5315:3016:05

BetMGM Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:25 | Winning time: 3m 53.22s

Brave Guest²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 109

33/1

Poor maiden on the Flat for Jack Channon but has made a promising start to his hurdles career, much improved from his hurdling bow when second in a 9-runner juvenile at Kempton (16f, good) 3 weeks ago. This is typically a hot race, however.

Form: 22

Down To Business^t1³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| BF

11/2

Fair maiden on the (stays 1¼m) in Ireland for Andrew Oliver. Looks the part for hurdling and made a promising start when staying-on third in a well-run 2m juvenile at Newbury last month, yet to be asked for effort when mistake 3 out. Sure to improve in first-time tongue tie for top yard.

Form: 3

Elman^t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: D Hogan

125/1

Dam half-sister to fairly useful hurdler (stayed 19f) Elishpour. Fair maiden on Flat for John Patrick Murtagh and was weakening when falling 2 out on hurdle/stable debut (100/1) at Limerick on Boxing Day. Has work to do in this company.

Form: F

Enziya^t,p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: K Pickard

125/1

Fair winner up to 1¾m on Flat in Ireland. Highly tried in his both completed starts over hurdles (had wind surgery in-between) prior to falling early at Taunton last time. Looks one for handicaps/longer trips.

Form: 57F

Flash Man⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes

25/1

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 1½m) in France, winner twice in 2025 but down the field on final start for H-A Pantall. Sold privately for €38,000 later in November and market can guide expectations on stable/hurdle debut.

Form:

Genealogy²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: D Hogan

16/1

Useful 1m Flat winner as juvenile for Aidan O'Brien. Shaped as if better for the run on hurdle/stable debut when 80/1 eighth in a 19-runner juvenile at Leopardstown (16f, good) last month, not given hard time. Likely to improve at some stage and one to note if market vibes are positive.

Form: 8

Macshadow Des Crai³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson

11/2

French form has some merit (reached the frame in bumpers/juvenile hurdle for M.Seror) and he was given a sympathetic ride on reappearance/stable debut when sixth in the Triumph Trial at Cheltenham last time. Remains with potential for leading yard.

Form: 3-446

Novelista¹⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex| D

9/2

Half-brother to fair 17f hurdle winner Migdam. Dam half-sister to fairly useful hurdler Lyric Street. Fairly useful on Flat (stays 2¼m), won Class 2 handicap at Goodwood last season. Sold from Charlie Johnston 165,000 gns in October and he's one to note on hurdles bow for new connections.

Form:

Talakan⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: K Brogan| T: T Lawes

14/1

Dam, useful winner up to 11f on Flat in France, half-sister to useful hurdler Tegerek. Fairly useful on Flat in France, won 14f maiden on final outing for Francis-Henri Graffard. Sold for €40,000 later in November and betting should offer plenty of clues with yard also saddling Flash Man.

Form:

Winston Junior³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: Faye Bramley| OR: 124

1/1

Useful maiden on Flat (stays 13f) for Jessica Harrington in Ireland and has made a very encouraging start to his hurdle career, improving from his Fontwell second when runner-up in the Triumph Trial at Cheltenham, finishing with running left having pulled hard/met trouble. Sets the standard here.

Form: 22

Forecasts

Winston Junior (1/1), Novelista (9/2), Down To Business (11/2), Macshadow Des Crai (11/2), Talakan (14/1), Genealogy (16/1), Flash Man (25/1), Brave Guest (33/1), Enziya (125/1), Elman (125/1)

In a race usually worth noting, WINSTON JUNIOR can cement a highly encouraging start to his hurdles career, having caught the eye when second in the Triumph Trial at Cheltenham last month. Down To Business shaped with plenty of promise on his hurdle debut and looks sure to improve for the Skelton yard, while ex-French recruit Macshadow des Crai is expected to take a step forward from his UK debut run behind Winston Junior.