Racecards
13:30 Ascot
Nspcc Handicap Hurdle (Class D)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
Gimmick (FR)
11- Form 0F26F2
- Age 9
- Weight 11-12
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey L Cooper
held up, blundered 4th, effort 6th, mistake next, ridden and weakened apporaching 3 out
- Form 6-1305F
- Age 9
- Weight 11-11
- Trainer A W Carroll
- Jockey J Culloty
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
- Form 2101
- Age 5
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey P Flynn
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace
Tagar (FR)
31- Form 0/522-34
- Age 6
- Weight 11-7
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
Victory Roll
364- Form 131320-
- Age 7
- Weight 11-5
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey B Fenton
held up and raced wide early, headway 4th, led and hit 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Misconduct
14- Form 43155-5
- Age 9
- Weight 11-4
- Trainer J Portman
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
prominent, blundered 4th, lost place next, soon weakened
- Form 112-6
- Age 6
- Weight 11-4
always prominent, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well flat
- Form 020-05
- Age 5
- Weight 11-1
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey 2nd Preference
prominent and keen, every chance after 3 out, ridden next, no extra approaching last
- Form 04012-0
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
led, not fluent 5th, headed next, ridden and weakened quickly after 3 out
- Form 43332
- Age 7
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer R Price
- Jockey V Slattery
held up and keen, mistake 2nd, steady headway 6th, stayed on from 2 out, not reach first two
- Form 611F-50
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer D Burchell
- Jockey D J Burchell
held up, steady headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next
- Form F0-3304
- Age 10
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer Mrs P Sly
- Jockey P J Brennan
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, ridden and every chance last, not quicken flat
In depth
Verdict
A cracking pre-Cheltenham card begins with a difficult start for punters. Lawz has a welter burden after his recent all the way victory at Fontwell. He was expected then though and can reach the frame here. Tagar has been a beaten favourite on three of his five outings, but continues to work well for Nicky Henderson and is quietly fancied. It is risky to rule out Jonjo O'Neill's runners at big meetings, even if their form does not amount to much, so Gimmick should be included in calculations. He has looked far from fluent since switching to fences and will be more at home over timber. Emma Lavelle has been having a fine season and Victory Roll is sure to have been well galloped for his return to action, having last been seen when down the field at this meeting last year. The rest will have done him good so whatever he does here, watch out for him over the next few weeks. Dollar law has been consistent but does not look quite good enough, but Shemdani will be expected to come on for a disappointing effort on his return at Doncaster when never sighted. He kept improving last year after coming over from France, and does not seem over burdened on this, his third outing in handicap company. The one to be on in our opinion is Kalka Mome. Philip Hobbs' charge bounced back from a poor effort at Sandown to hack up next time at Taunton. Due to go chasing, he jumps and travels well, all the requirements needed to score in the opener.