16:10 Ascot

Saturday 19 February 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3816:1016:45

Ascot Racecourse Supports The Autism In Racing Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 6m 21.24s

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Selected odds by:

Smurphy Enki²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 125

11/2

Bumper winner who bagged Plumpton novices on 2 of his final 3 starts of last season. Good second at Fontwell on Boxing Day but latest effort here was underwhelming.

Form: 1P1-728

Bobo Mac^b1⁴⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-9| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: T Symonds| OR: 122

28/1

Useful staying chaser at best but hasn't really been firing so far this term. Blinkered back over hurdles, but others make more appeal.

Form: 63-92U5

Sirobbie^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Alfie Jordan⁽⁷⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 120

18/1

Fairly useful hurdler (has won 5 times at Uttoxeter) who has been a bit hit and miss for current stable. Runner-up at Plumpton last time though, and his mark is appealing.

Form: 0-393P2

Art Of Diplomacy³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120| D

11/4

On the up having joined his current stable, and got back to winning ways in convincing fashion at Catterick in January. Has further progress in him and Cillian Leonard takes a handy 5 lb off.

Form: 8/F-6121

Grosvenor Court²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 119| BF

14/1

Lightly raced hurdler who scored at Wincanton in October and was beaten only by a progressive sort there next time. Lost a shoe on latest outing, so remains with potential up in trip.

Form: 24-3123

Bean In Trouble¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 117| BF| D

13/2

Back to winning ways at Wetherby (3m) in December. Solid, in-frame efforts both subsequent starts and might not have finished improving, so could make his presence felt.

Form: 423124

Amateur^b1,t⁷⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: J L Flint| OR: 117

22/1

Successful a couple of times over fences last season and not disgraced on either start this term. Blinkered now, but this drop in trip is unlikely to suit back over hurdles.

Form: 2141-55

I'm A Starman⁷²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: James Davies| T: M G Rimell| OR: 112

10/1

Doubled his tally at Warwick in May and shaped as if better for the run when seventh at the same track 72 days ago. Up against it in this competitive scenario, though.

Form: 515-217

Atakan³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 107

13/2

Fair form over hurdles to date, relishing the stiffer test when an improved second at Plumpton a month ago. May do better still, particularly if this is strongly run, so merits respect.

Form: 5472

Grand Lord^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 106| BF

5/1

Front runner who arrives on the back of a couple of solid placed efforts but looks vulnerable to better-treated rivals.

Form: 3-23R23

Guillemot^v⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: H Cobden| T: H D Daly| OR: 104WS

14/1

Stepped up on his return when close second at Chepstow but fell heavily over fences since, then pulled up over hurdles at Wetherby last month. Bit to prove after wind op with visor refitted.

Form: 13-82FP

Non-Runners

Wynn House⁷⁰

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: A King J: Tom Cannon

Guerlain De Vaux³⁷

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: O Sherwood J: J J Burke

Imphal³⁰

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: G & J Moore J: N F Houlihan

Glencassley³⁹

Weight: 11-3| Age: 7

T: C E Longsdon J: Paul O'Brien

Forecasts

Art Of Diplomacy (11/4), Imphal (5/1), Grand Lord (5/1), Smurphy Enki (11/2), Bean In Trouble (13/2), Atakan (13/2), Wynn House (15/2), Guerlain De Vaux (8/1), I'm A Starman (10/1), Glencassley (12/1), Guillemot (14/1), Grosvenor Court (14/1), Sirobbie (18/1), Amateur (22/1), Bobo Mac (28/1)

ART OF DIPLOMACY easily drew clear to score at Catterick and has an upwardly-mobile profile for this stable, so he is fancied to go in again with his promising conditional negating half of the 10 lb rise handed to him. Imphal has been going the right way all season, so he's an obvious danger, and the likeable Bean In Trouble isn't easily dismissed.