16:05 Ascot

Saturday 17 January 2026

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

BetMGM EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 5m 37.62s

Kasino Des Mottes³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 126

5/1

£130,000 Irish point recruit who showed a willing attitude to get off the mark at the second time of asking over hurdles in a 21f Kempton novice in October. Not disgraced in Cheltenham Grade 2 subsequently but isn't sure to be suited by this drop back in trip.

Form: 4/1-515

Laguna Beach³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 124

7/4

Showed promise in a valuable bumper at Punchestown last spring and was much improved from hurdling debut when winning 11-runner novice (11/2) at Hereford (19.7f, good to soft) 38 days ago, staying on to lead final 100 yds. Open to more improvement now his stamina is drawn out further.

Form: 5-31

Minella Marathon^t1³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

14/1

Fetched £200,000 after winning his sole start between the flags and made a successful hurdling debut with something to spare in 6-runner novice at Lingfield (19.5f, good) in November. Bit below that level in a deeper novice at Cheltenham subsequently but remains with potential.

Form: 1-17

The Burren Man^t⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham

11/4

€180,000 purchase after finishing second in an Irish point in April. Tongue tied and looked a class above his rivals when easily landing a Carlisle novice hurdle (19.3f, soft) on Rules debut in November. Sure to progress.

Form: 2-1

Betgoodwin⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon

150/1

Castle du Berlais gelding who went with no encouragement at Ffos Las on debut in November.

Form: P

Tobyshill⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

8/1

£85,000 5-y-o, Califet gelding. Half-brother to useful hurdler/smart chase winner Mia's Storm. Won sole outing in Irish points in October and well worth a market check ahead of this switch to Rules.

Form: 1

Uptown Dandy³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 116| BF

9/1

Bumper form had plenty of substance and made a promising start over hurdles when chasing home an improving sort at Wetherby (19.7f, soft) on return. Shaped well behind another good prospect at Doncaster (19.4f) subsequently and remains capable of better.

Form: 233-22

Whiskey Yankee^t1³⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Johnston| T: S Thomas

14/1

Hunter's Light gelding. Brother to useful hurdler Ed Keeper. Dam, French hurdler (2¼m winner). Shaped encouragingly when second in 5-runner bumper at Ffos Las (15.8f) on debut 10 months ago and bred to appreciate this step up in trip now hurdling in a first-time tongue strap.

Form: 2-

Non-Runners

Mymilkman³⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: C Gordon J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Laguna Beach (7/4), The Burren Man (11/4), Kasino Des Mottes (5/1), Tobyshill (8/1), Uptown Dandy (9/1), Whiskey Yankee (14/1), Minella Marathon (14/1), Betgoodwin (150/1), Mymilkman (150/1)

The form of LAGUNA BEACH's Hereford win is working out well and, with further improvement in the offing over this still longer trip, he's taken to defy a penalty at the first time of asking. The Burren Man created a good impression at Carlisle and is another horse to be very positive about, with Whiskey Yankee an interesting hurdling debutant for a yard that continues to thrive.