Ascot 21 December 2013

Going: Soft
 
 

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

12:45 Ascot (Class 4) (4YO plus)

Foundation Developments Novices' Handicap Hurdle

3m

Winner £6,256 - 14 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

It could pay to side with BRAVE BUCK representing the red-hot Henry Daly stable. The five-year-old son of Bollin Eric has been in dazzling form himself recently, notching up a double at Ffos Las and Chepstow with little fuss and a further 8lb rise in the ratings may not be enough to bring his winning run to an end. Most feared is handicap debutant Forever Present, who has only finished out of the frame once in five public appearances and shaped with plenty of promise (finishing second) on her seasonal reappearance in a novices' event at Ludlow, while first-time blinkered Josies Orders and Ascot runner-up Coup De Grace add further spice to the event.

2

13:15 Ascot (Class 2) (4YO plus)

David Johnson Memorial Shawbrook Graduation Chase

2m 5f 110y

Winner £15,640 - 4 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Easter Day represents Paul Nicholls, who has won the last three runnings of this event, and he looked a progressive sort when scoring readily at Newbury, but O'FAOLAINS BOY is fancied to take the world of beating on his chasing debut. On current hurdle ratings, Rebecca Curtis' gelding is best of these by 4lb and upwards in that sphere (making him attractively weighted here) and the feeling has always been that he would improve for the switch to fences. Baby Mix looked back to his best when dotting up at Kempton and he won't be far away if reproducing that level of performance.

3

13:50 Ascot (Class 3) (4YO plus)

BGC Partners Handicap Chase

2m 1f

Winner £12,512 - 10 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

PENDRA looks potentially a class above on his handicap debut. A smart bumper and hurdles performer, the Old Vic gelding hasn't put a foot wrong in both chase assignments thus far and he looks capable of doing some damage off this opening mark of 139. Ulck Du Lin, who sports cheekpieces for the first time, faces his easiest task since landing this contest off a 4lb lower mark 12 months ago and he commands respect, while Grey Gold may improve for his Carlisle third and, like the selection, starts handicap life off a fair mark.

4

14:25 Ascot (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Wessex Youth Trust Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1)

3m 1f

Winner £42,202 - 5 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Celestial Halo was faultless when getting the better of AT FISHERS CROSS in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury three weeks ago but Paul Nicholls' charge was declared a non-runner on Friday morning so the Albert Bartlett winner is expected to go off at cramped odds. Many would argue that Nicholls' nine-year-old would have won at Newbury regardless of At Fishers Cross' horror show at the second-last flight, but he looked to be travelling well enough on ground that doesn't necessarily suit and that first run for 239 days is expected to have brought him forward. Reve De Sivola won this on heavy ground 12 months ago so he's likely to improve on a lacklustre effort in the aforementioned Long Distance, especially if the ground continues to deteriorate. Daryl Jacob switches to Cheltenham Festival winner Salubrious and the Relkeel second completes the shortlist.

5

15:00 Ascot (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Mappin & Webb Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Listed)

3m

Winner £24,477 - 7 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

It's difficult to look past Hennessy Gold Cup winner TRIOLO D'ALENE. That form already looks to have some substance to it with the third, Theatre Guide, subsequently placed in a Grade 3 event at Cheltenham and although an 11lb rise is sure to make life a lot tougher, his class can shine through. Houblon Des Obeaux is 13lb better off for an 18-length beating at Newbury (sixth) and he should be able to close the gap, while Storm Survivor can reach the frame if none the worse for his first-fence fall at Aintree.

6

15:35 Ascot (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Ladbroke (Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle)

2m

Winner £84,405 - 20 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Champion trainer Nicky Henderson launches two arrows at a highly-competitive renewal of the Ladbroke and both Chatterbox, second in the Gerry Feilden on his reappearance, and Rolling Star, a Haydock scorer on his seasonal bow, come into the race boasting attractive profiles. Henderson's old rival Paul Nicholls might be able to strike, though, and a big performance under top weight from PTIT ZIG would come as no surprise. A quite splendid performance at last season's Cheltenham Festival saw the four-year-old finish third in the Fred Winter on just his second UK outing and he confirmed that promise when beating a useful bunch of handicappers at Sandown the time after. The son of Great Pretender has since placed and won in Grade 1 company at Auteuil and can continue on an upward curve on ground he'll most certainly relish. Dell' Arca rates the best of the David Pipe contingent following his Greatwood win at Cheltenham, but Swing Bowler's readiness for this assignment is assured and she'll no doubt appreciate the drop back in distance.

Existing User?

Forgot your password?

New User?

Sign up using our simple one-page form and you'll be able to access free video form, tips and exclusive content straight away.