14:50 Ascot

Saturday 18 January 2025

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:3216:02

BetMGM Holloway's Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 36.3s

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Selected odds by:

Goshen³¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| OR: 141| CD

33/1

Very smart hurdler in his pomp but struggled for form last season. Back over fences, opened his chase account at the third attempt in an Exeter handicap (17.5f, heavy) in March, though only narrowly denied sole other finisher, so others preferred on his return.

Form: 2/44931-

Bo Zenith³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138| D

5/2

Promising juvenile hurdler for Gary Moore in 2022/23, winning twice and second in Grade 1 at Aintree final outing. After 20-month absence, finished strongly for third in handicap at Cheltenham (16.8f, good to soft) in December, so he remains with potential upped in trip.

Form: 13112/3

Kamsinas⁵⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137

9/1

Won three times during novice campaign, including a Haydock Grade 2, and added to his tally in handicap at Aintree (20f) on return. Ran at least as well when fourth of 14 at Haydock (18.9f, soft) last time and he can give another good account.

Form: 6010-14

Altobelli^p1,t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryan Carver| T: H Fry| OR: 132| BF| D

3/1

Won first 2 starts over hurdles and good efforts when placed twice here (both at 15.7f) last season. Looked rusty after 10 months off when runner-up at Doncaster in December, though finished off well, so he enters calculations back up in trip with cheekpieces added.

Form: 19/230-2

Stoner's Choice^p,t²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: F O'Brien| OR: 131| C| D

33/1

Successful over fences and hurdles at Kempton in 2022/23. Following 19-month absence, showed he retains ability when second of 4 in handicap hurdle at same course (21f) in November, before making the frame here (21.6f, good to soft) last time. This is tougher, though.

Form: 3321/24

Georgi Girl³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 129

14/1

After 7 months off, proved better than ever when scoring readily at Warwick (21f) in November and backed that up when fifth of 12 at Cheltenham (20.2f, good to soft) 35 days ago, though did hang right and flash tail run-in. Will need to find more again.

Form: 1106-15

Doddiethegreat²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 129| C

13/2

Had been shaping up well in 2023/24, including good fourth in Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, but held back by inexperience on chasing debut at Kempton on return. Hampered at the start back hurdling at Kempton last time, so he's worth another chance from his current mark.

Form: 2407-5P

Wilful³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 123| D

10/1

Progressive winner in bumpers and similar story over hurdles, completing hat-trick in a Worcester novice (20f) in August. However, after 4 months off he found it tougher sent handicapping when down the field at Taunton (19f, good) 37 days ago.

Form: 221-118

Aston Martini⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 123

11/1

Bumper winner who also landed her first 2 starts over hurdles last winter. Resumed progress when runner-up at Bangor (19.6f) on handicap/seasonal debut and, whilst she failed to back it up at Newbury (16.3f, good to soft) since, the return to further should suit.

Form: 1114-20

Bowenspark^v⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: David Bass| T: H D Daly| OR: 121

16/1

Not straightforward but recorded a creditable third of 9 to Kamsinas in handicap at Aintree (20f) on return, though typically carried head high. However, in first-time visor he wasn't in the same form at Haydock (18.9f, soft) on latest outing.

Form: 1F2P-30

Moveit Like Minnie^p,t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 119| D

20/1

Made winning chase debut at Stratford (17f) but went the wrong way next 3 starts, running out twice. Fared better back hurdling with visor added when fourth of 18 at this course (15.7f, good to soft) in December, though others still more persuasive. Cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: P-1URR4

Non-Runners

Josh The Boss⁵⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Mr Jamie Neild

Spirit D'aunou²¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: Freddie Mitchell

Soigneux Bell³⁷²

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: Caoilin Quinn

Forecasts

Bo Zenith (5/2), Altobelli (3/1), Doddiethegreat (13/2), Josh The Boss (7/1), Kamsinas (9/1), Wilful (10/1), Aston Martini (11/1), Spirit D'aunou (12/1), Georgi Girl (14/1), Bowenspark (16/1), Moveit Like Minnie (20/1), Stoner's Choice (33/1), Soigneux Bell (33/1), Goshen (33/1)

Things haven't gone to plan so far this season for DODDIETHEGREAT, hampered at the start when pulled up back over hurdles at Kempton on Boxing Day, but he's now on a handy mark given the promise he showed last season and could be ready to take advantage. Altobelli has run well both starts at this course and heads the list of dangers, while Bo Zenith could still have more to offer.