12:45 Ascot

Friday 22 December 2023

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Howden Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:45 | Winning time: 5m 14.73s

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Selected odds by:

Fable²³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126

25/1

Irish point/dual hurdles winner who made it third time lucky over fences in mares' handicap at Bangor (20.3f) in February. Ran poorly both subsequent starts, but she's capable if on a going day reverted to hurdling after 7 months off.

Form: P/2P13P-

Magic Seven²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: James Smith⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 124

3/1

Displayed useful form when making second of 3 starts in bumpers a winning one last term and has made the perfect start over hurdles, landing maiden and novice at Hereford (19.7f, good) in clear-cut style last month. Capable of better still sent handicapping.

Form: 414-11

Fifty Ball^p³⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 118| CD

9/1

Returned to form when finding just one too good at Fontwell (3¼m, good to firm) in May and possibly in need of both outings in recent weeks. Mark eases a shade further, but the suspicion is he's likely to find a few too strong.

Form: 5P-5243

Rathmacknee⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Tabitha Worsley| T: Mrs D O'Neill| OR: 116

80/1

Bit of a mixed record for Nicky Henderson last season, winning twice but also pulled up on 3 occasions. Showed some ability remains on debut for new yard at Uttoxeter in September but below that level since and makes limited appeal significantly back up in trip.

Form: PPP5-66

Halifax^p,t⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Conor Ring| T: G Harris| OR: 115

20/1

Bagged his third success for current yard in 7-runner handicap at Bangor (23f, good) in September and has made the frame both starts since, latterly when second of 9 over same C&D (soft) the following month. Should give another good account.

Form: 163142

Roger Pol⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: William Featherstone⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 114

3/1

Dual bumper winner who built on his Newton Abbot hurdle debut second when going one better over 2m at Fakenham at the start of November. Takes a big jump in trip now making a quick switch to handicaps but he is sure to stay further. Fascinating contender.

Form: 1931-21

Mot A Mot^p1,t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Shane Quinlan| T: S Thomas| OR: 114

10/1

Made winning start for this yard at Newbury (18.8f) in April 2022 but lightly raced since and finished well held back from 13-month absence at Exeter recently. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 1561/P-5

Delgany Bobby Blue^t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 110

20/1

Showed promise on first start in bumpers and has made an encouraging start over hurdles, finishing a staying-on third of 7 in introductory hurdle at Wetherby (16f, heavy) just under 5 weeks ago. Remains capable of better, especially upped in trip for this quick switch to handicaps.

Form: P/20-23

Immortal Fame^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁸⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 107| D

13/2

Successful 3 times during 2021/22 campaign and built on a good reappearance second at Chepstow in October to get his head back in front at Doncaster (21f, good) last month, edging out Burrows Hall by a neck. Up just 3 lb and fancied to feature once again.

Form: 2883-21

Rebel Intentions^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Joe Anderson| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 104| C| D

4/1

Got off the mark at Fontwell (21.8f) in August and back on the up when landing a competitive event at this course last month. Barely stayed back up in trip but posted another good effort with a conditional back on board when second here (24.4f, good) 4 weeks ago. Place claims.

Form: 7-81213

Forecasts

Roger Pol (3/1), Magic Seven (3/1), Rebel Intentions (4/1), Immortal Fame (13/2), Fifty Ball (9/1), Mot A Mot (10/1), Delgany Bobby Blue (20/1), Halifax (20/1), Fable (25/1), Rathmacknee (80/1)

ROGER POL displayed his stamina and willing attitude that had carried him to a couple of bumper wins to get off the mark in this sphere at Fakenham last month, and with this step up in trip sure to pose no issues, he can continue Jamie Snowden's excellent run of form on handicap bow with the assistance of a rider claiming 10 lb. Magic Seven made it 2-2 over hurdles at Hereford last month and he rates a big danger also starting out in handicaps, with Immortal Fame and Fable also considered.