13:20 Ascot

Saturday 18 February 2023

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Ascot Racecourse Supports Schools Poetry Competition Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 42.55s

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Selected odds by:

Attacca⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

1/1

Runner-up on his sole start in bumpers and justified strong support switched to hurdles after 7 months off here (2m) in November. Much improved when following up at Cheltenham and likely to progress further now upped in distance.

Form: 2-11

Persian Time⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: N J Henderson| C

7/2

Runner-up sole start in Irish points and off the mark at first attempt over hurdles (albeit fortuitously when leader fell last) when landing 8-runner introductory hurdle here (15.7f) in November. In excellent hands and he's very much the type to do better again over this longer trip.

Form: 2-1

Iliko D'olivate^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| D

7/1

Fair form in 2 starts on the Flat and built on his hurdles debut second at Compiegne when going one better in ready fashion at Taunton (19f) last month, travelling strongly and drawing clear run-in. No match for a smart prospect at Sandown since but remains unexposed.

Form: 2-12

Springwell Bay⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126| BF

3/1

Confirmed bumper debut promise when bolting up on debut for new yard at Market Rasen. Made short work of his rivals sent hurdling after an 11-month absence at Carlisle and stepped up on that when third in Cheltenham Grade 2 next time. Sure to progress further now upped in trip.

Form: 2/1-13

Marty Byrde¹¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: J L Flint

125/1

Fairly useful in bumpers but hasn't reached that level yet over hurdles and might be of more interest in handicaps after this run.

Form: 523-75

The Big Reveal²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Conor Ring| T: G Harris

125/1

Third sole start in maiden points in Ireland and made a fairly promising start under Rules when fourth of 15 in a Chepstow maiden (19.5f) in December. Went backwards at Ffos Las last time, though.

Form: 346

Townhill^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Ben Sutton| T: T Lacey

80/1

Won sole outing in Irish points and shaped like a stayer (tongue tied) when fourth of 14 in a Fontwell bumper (17.7f, soft) on Rules debut 20 days ago. Longer trip will suit now hurdling but this is a stiff task.

Form: 1-4

Non-Runners

Hermino AA¹⁹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: N F Houlihan

Knowwhentoholdem⁴⁴⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 8

T: M F Harris J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Attacca (1/1), Springwell Bay (3/1), Persian Time (7/2), Iliko D'olivate (7/1), Hermino AA (12/1), Knowwhentoholdem (33/1), Townhill (80/1), Marty Byrde (125/1), The Big Reveal (125/1)

ATTACCA showed an excellent attitude to get the better of Master Chewy (shaped well in Betfair Hurdle last weekend) at Cheltenham in November and gives the impression there's plenty more to come now upped in trip, so he's taken to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles. Springwell Bay and Persian Time are other promising types who warrant plenty of respect, though.