16:10 Ascot

Saturday 17 February 2018

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

racinguk.com/clubdays Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 6m 6.4s

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Selected odds by:

Buckle Street^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Stock⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 127

6/1

Stays very well and may find even this a little on the short side, but in good form and followed up his Catterick win with a solid effort at Cheltenham, staying on late to grab third. Handles the ground and not out of this if getting a good pace.

Form: 236513

Templeross^v1³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127| D

11/2

Nicely handicapped on his second to Modus around this time last year, but a tale of woe since and weakened out of it too quickly at Warwick for comfort latest. Needs to bounce back and reasons why he should do that are thin on the ground.

Form: 23-45P7

Malapie¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 125| D

11/2

Stamina appears to be his long suit, wore them down at Leicester latest start and this step back up in trip can only be in his favour. Might still be on a workable mark and with conditions fine, looks one of the more likely ones.

Form: P-44181

Mon Palois⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 125| D

12/1

Won a couple of novice hurdles last summer/autumn but limitations exposed since moving into handicaps and best form so far has come on much quicker ground than he will encounter today. Others preferred.

Form: 4-11445

Pop Rockstar^t⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123| D

12/1

Handicapper has taken action after a couple of easy wins, the latest coming at Wetherby in December but always looked the type to make up into a decent performer and may not have finished improving yet. Ground no issue.

Form: 42-8211

Hatchet Jack³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson| OR: 120

4/1

Has done okay since being switched to handicaps, did well when stepped up to this trip when a close fifth over C&D here in December, This is tougher but there's the likelihood of improvement to come, and he's not ruled out.

Form: 273452

Ballyheigue Bay^p,t¹⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 119| D

10/1

Had been running well without success untill upped in trip last time out, winning what appeared a competitive event at Plumpton. Upped 5lb for that so needs more, but cheekpieces on again, and might be able to get involved.

Form: 17-73F1

Three Star General^p¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 115

33/1

Came good at Worcester last summer but some moderate efforts since then, and he often looks like he's got his own ideas about the game. Can't be backed with any confidence at present.

Form: 2127P8

Skewiff²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 115

33/1

Twice a winner in the summer/spring last year but handicapper looks in charge at present and this trip asks a new question of him as well. Plenty on after a moderate effort at Chepstow last time.

Form: 10-1F35

Kayf Moss^b,t⁹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: D A Jacob| T: J L Flint| OR: 115

25/1

Pops up now and then but it tends to be at a lesser level than today's race, and with more letters than numbers in his recent form figures, he looks one of the first for the elbow. Hard to fancy.

Form: 9P05P-P

Laugharne¹¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 112| D

10/1

Looking nicely handicapped at present and caught the eye at Wincanton when last seen, staying on nicely from off the pace. First run for new yard, and back up in trip, so needs a market check despite the ground possibly being a bit soft for him.

Form: 21P77-4

Clondaw Bisto^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 112| D

9/1

Good looker that has disappointed more often than not, despite being well backed on a number of occasions. Has had wind surgery since last seen, which may help, but plenty to find with a couple of these and is passed over.

Form: 64-0436

Forecasts

Hatchet Jack (4/1), Malapie (11/2), Templeross (11/2), Buckle Street (6/1), Clondaw Bisto (9/1), Ballyheigue Bay (10/1), Laugharne (10/1), Pop Rockstar (12/1), Mon Palois (12/1), Kayf Moss (25/1), Three Star General (33/1), Skewiff (33/1)

Not easy to solve. Ballyheigue Bay might be allowed an easy time of it on the front and if that's the case, could be hard to pass. MALAPIE has really found his stride now and is winning with a bit in hand, so he may be able to defy his latest weight rise. Hatchet Jack is capable of some improvment as well and looks one of the more interesting ones. He can take second ahead of Pop Rockstar, who is on the hat-trick and might not have finished his good run yet.