13:15 Ascot

Saturday 4 November 2017

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

Gardiner & Theobald Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 40.7s

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Selected odds by:

Rebel Yeats³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Edward Austin⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 120| D

7/1

A winner at odds of 50/1 on her first start for the stable in May, she made it two from two around Warwick latest when taking a 2m3f handicap hurdle by ½L. Handles good and good to soft, but raised 8lb.

Form: 122241

Watcombe Heights^h⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: M Hill| OR: 120| D

16/1

Given plenty of time off before embarking on a hurdles career (two and a half year absence), but has done well in maiden company at Newton Abbot. A winner there over 2m2f+ (good) in August, he now steps up markedly in grade.

Form: 10/21

Enola Gay²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: B J Cooper| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 119

13/2

Arrived from France, and has done the majority of his racing in deep ground, so will almost certainly appreciate the forecast rain. Beaten 1½L by the promising Palmers Hill in a 2m Uttoxeter maiden last month. Up in trip for (novices) handicap bow.

Form: 526-2

Fisherman Frank^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: M Blake| OR: 118

12/1

Bumper winner who didn't enjoy the ideal start over hurdles (brought down early). However, he has put that behind him and showed improvement when 2¾L second to Oski in a 2m4f Uttoxeter maiden hurdle latest (soft). Handicap debut.

Form: 61P-B42

Burst Ya Bubble¹²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 117| BF

13/2

Off the mark in a 2m Uttoxeter maiden hurdle in June (beat Lerichi Belle by 4L), and lost little in defeat to a stronger rival (Lovato) in novice company back there the following month. Off since and now switches to handicapping.

Form: 457-312

Ardmayle²⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: A Stronge| OR: 115| BF

25/1

Yet to really make his mark over hurdles, but is two from three over fences under rules. Versatile in terms of trip (2m, 2m4f & 3m winner), but the ground looks on the quick side for him unless excessive rainfall occurs.

Form: 534114-

Molineaux¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 115

11/1

A six race maiden who perhaps lacks a change of gear. Finished fourth of 12 on handicap debut at Wincanton last month (2m4f good), which was okay, but further progress is most definitely required.

Form: 48/23-44

The Mighty Ash²⁰⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ian Popham| T: Mrs F M Shaw| OR: 114

66/1

Runner up at massive odds on his hurdles debut at Exeter in January (2m1f soft), but not really built on that since, and wouldn't appear an obvious contender on his seasonal return.

Form: 4P/8246-

Bardd¹⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 112| BF

9/2

Has regularly found one or two stronger in novice and maiden hurdles, being a beaten favourite on his last four starts. Clearly has some ability judged upon his bumper efforts, but his trainer needs to unlock that potential now trying handicaps.

Form: 14222-3

All Is Good^h¹⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin| OR: 111

20/1

Both of his hurdles starts have come at Market Rasen (2m), and offered optimism for the future. He lacks the experience of some of the others, but can make his mark at this level with further experience gained. Seasonal debut.

Form: F23-

Pengo's Boy^h²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: W S Kittow| OR: 110

7/1

Back to form with a bang (always travelled well throughout) when a decisive 5L scorer at Newton Abbot in September (2m1f good to soft). Not disgraced off an 11lb higher mark at Exeter subsequently, and shapes like staying this trip.

Form: 7/06712

Summer Getaway³⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 110

66/1

Off the track since January, and needs to improve significantly on his three hurdles efforts (all at Wincanton) if to be sighted on his handicap debut.

Form: 4/20730-

Brown Bear^p¹⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 107

16/1

Returns to action following a short break as a winner of three of his last four starts. Has mixed hurdling with chasing, and is clearly well suited by the combination of Fontwell and good ground. 10lb above his last winning hurdles mark.

Form: 441-611

With Pleasure²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: J L Flint| OR: 105

12/1

A runner up on his latest hurdles start at Uttoxeter in May (beaten 18L by Vancouver), but has performed with consistency on the Flat since then. Fair to say that others seemingly have more potential in the longer term.

Form: 242-32

Shanksforamillion²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 103

10/1

Back from a lengthy break for new connections in rude health, and was only denied a four-timer by the equally thriving Plantagenet at Towcester latest (2m5f good to firm). Another 3lb higher, but has place claims at the very least off bottom-weight.

Form: 68/1112

Non-Runners

Arty Campbell¹⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: B J Llewellyn J: Robert Williams

Forecasts

Bardd (9/2), Burst Ya Bubble (13/2), Enola Gay (13/2), Arty Campbell (13/2), Pengo's Boy (7/1), Rebel Yeats (7/1), Shanksforamillion (10/1), Molineaux (11/1), Fisherman Frank (12/1), With Pleasure (12/1), Brown Bear (16/1), Watcombe Heights (16/1), All Is Good (20/1), Ardmayle (25/1), Summer Getaway (66/1), The Mighty Ash (66/1)

An absolute head-scratcher, but should we manage to find the winner, we'll be handsomely rewarded at decent odds. Brown Bear has been in excellent order during the spring/summer months, but unfortunately for his connections, this is Ascot and not his beloved Fontwell. Shanksforamillion has been in similar rude heath since joining Debra Hamer, but has nudged up the weights another 3lb for his 9L Towcester defeat by the thriving Plantagenet. Both Arty Campbell and Pengo's Boy are also on an upward curve, with the latter named well worth a try over this longer trip based upon his recent Exeter second to Trans Express. However, the least exposed runner is potentially the difficult to quantify ENOLA GAY. The forecast rain can only improve his chances, and with Bryan Cooper taking the mount, he looks of major interest now upped in trip on just his third start for Venetia Williams.