14:45 Ascot

Saturday 2 November 2019

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

Sodexo Handicap Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 3m 47.2s

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Selected odds by:

Lisp²³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 145| D

8/1

Very consistent hurdler that twice ran well over C&D last year, his second in a Grade 3 handicap here last December a highlight; won first time up last year, handles good/soft ground, and despite the welter burden, has to be taken seriously.

Form: F/12285-

Adjali²¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 141| D

9/2

Winner at Market Rasen on yard debut last December but didn't really progress from that, although in truth faced a few stiff tasks; has potential to do better again this year and given he can go well fresh, has to be taken seriously here.

Form: 312374-

Jolly's Cracked It^t1²³¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 140| CD

10/1

Another with a good Ascot record, and won here first time up last year, so clearly goes well fresh and handles conditions fine; only 2lb higher than that win after some poor efforts after that, but first time out may be the time to catch him.

Form: 10/105P-

Gumball^h³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 139| D

11/2

Looked like he might go to the top of the novice tree at one point but jumping rather let him down at times, and soft ground against him too; better in a good race at Market Rasen latest, which will put him spot on here, but needs rain to stay away.

Form: P21/49-3

Didtheyleaveuoutto⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: N J Gifford| OR: 135| CD

6/1

Looked a novice of great potential last year after beating the useful Thomas Darby here a year ago; not really gone on from that though, although 3m too far last time and this more suitable, so not discounted if fit after a break.

Form: 0/1159-0

Denmead^t¹⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| D

25/1

Very impressive when scoring with any amount in hand at Wetherby in March, but very disappointing when tried in a big handicap at Fairyhouse on final start of the season; consistency not his strong point, but chances if on a going day.

Form: 13310-

Flashing Glance³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 130| D

16/1

Has turned in some very solid efforts over the last 12 months and did nothing wrong when a staying-on fourth at Market Rasen on latest start; possibly needs another small step forward here but that's far from impossible if the rain stays away.

Form: 2315-F4

Man Of Plenty^p,t¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 127| D

20/1

A regular in these big field handicaps, usually travels strongly at the rear and the faster they go, the better his chance late on; starting to look dangerously well handicapped and foolish to discount, especially with a good pace likely here.

Form: 0-00986

Jacamar²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 125

20/1

Running well without really being given a lot of credit, and again did nothing wrong when a running-on third in a competitive Chepstow handicap last time out; may well have more to come and a good pace up front would help his chance no end.

Form: 3-34193

Red Force One¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| D

8/1

Falls into the "could be anything" bracket after winning a little race at Fakenham last time out, travelling well and finding plenty; with a top yard and although that form needs improving on, every chance of that happening.

Form: 43-1

Ardmayle²³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: A Stronge| OR: 123| D

25/1

Probably better known as a chaser now, connections trying to take advantage of appears a fair mark based on chase win at Sandown but this does look tougher, and it looks a run to blow the cobwebs away before going back chasing.

Form: 31/4431-

Nordic Combined^t1²²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 123

7/1

Had a good first half of the season last year before it all rather unravelled, and as a result still looks on a workable mark; visor now removed and tongue tie given a go instead, which may help, but comes with some risk at present.

Form: 2220F8-

Vision Clear¹⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 122| D

40/1

Brooke his duck at the fourth attempt when successful in a small race at Kempton in May, although the form of that not strong, and he's not been seen since June; potential to do better remains though, and yard get plenty of winners here.

Form: 52U-1

Grapevine^p⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 121| BF| D

33/1

Sprang a 25-1 surprise when taking the Listed Summer Plate at Market Rasen earlier in the year, but was a bit disappointing at Cartmel when last seen; clearly capable of the surprise, but on balance, Man Of Plenty may be the yard's best chance.

Form: 150/184

Sparkleandshine⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: H Whittington| OR: 119| BF| D

14/1

Got no further than the first when tried novice chasing at Ludlow a couple of weeks ago, and makes quick reappearance here, so none the worse for that; has form that ties him in with Flashing Glance here, and yard going well; chances.

Form: 1/4035-F

Non-Runners

Song For Someone²¹²

Weight: 11-3| Age: 4

T: T Symonds J: James Nixon

Forecasts

Adjali (9/2), Gumball (11/2), Didtheyleaveuoutto (6/1), Nordic Combined (7/1), Red Force One (8/1), Lisp (8/1), Jolly's Cracked It (10/1), Sparkleandshine (14/1), Flashing Glance (16/1), Song For Someone (16/1), Jacamar (20/1), Man Of Plenty (20/1), Ardmayle (25/1), Denmead (25/1), Grapevine (33/1), Vision Clear (40/1)

Ultra competitive and many can be given a chance. Gumball will try and take them from start to finish but any rain is against him, and he may set it up for a finisher. Lisp likes it here and despite top weight, he is worthy of it, and he should be in the frame at worst. Jolly's Cracked It might well be best caught fresh and a good effort from him would not surprise, and Red Force One looks a potential improver for top connections. It'll be a surprise if we've seen the best of Adjali too, but at a much bigger price JACAMAR makes some each-way appeal. This is his toughest task to date, but the quicker they go the better his chance late.