Racecards
14:20 Ascot
Howden Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 1m 7f 152y
- Going: Good to Soft (Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £50,000 added
- Winner: £28,475
- 2nd: £10,685
- 3rd: £5,350
- 4th: £2,665
- Form 129-111
- Age 4
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
led narrowly at very slow pace and cantered into the 1st, hit next, soon headed, pushed along and lost 2nd before 2 out, awkward 2 out, weakened into 5th soon after
- Form 12432-1
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 136
tracked leaders in 4th on inside, dropped to last at 4th, pushed along after 3 out, headway chasing leaders before next, went 2nd at the last, never any chance with most impressive winner
- Form 11-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
tracked leader who set very slow pace, led after next, increased tempo turning away before 3rd, quickened again on bit before 2 out, soon drew clear, most impressive
- Form 111-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
tracked leaders in 3rd on inside, went 2nd before 2 out, mistake and stumbled 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost well held 2nd at the last
- Form 1132-31
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer D Skelton
- Jockey Harry Skelton
held up last in slowly run race, headway out wide tracking leaders at 4th, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, went well held 4th after 2 out
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Colonel Mustard was keeping good company in the spring and got his head in front at Galway in October. Knappers Hill, a smart bumper horse, is 2-2 over hurdles and learning with experience while Jonbon looked every inch a Festival prospect when extending his unbeaten record on his hurdles bow at Newbury. I Like To Move It completed his hat-trick in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last month so shouldn’t be underestimated but we fancy the mare ELLE EST BELLE to give the boys plenty to think about. She quickened clear in a Listed contest at Newbury last month and her bumper form was at least on a par with today’s rivals.
Formwatch
I Like To Move It 4-6fav (11-3) Made all and set good pace, hit 3rd, pushed along and quickened after 2 out, 3 lengths ahead last, ridden and stayed on strongly run-in, unchallenged, won at Cheltenham 2m (1) gd in Nov beating Washington (11-0) by 2l, 3 ran.
Colonel Mustard (FR) 5-6fav (12-0) Soon led, slightly hampered by loose horse and stumbled before 5th where not fluent, slight mistake 2 out, strongly pressed at last, pushed along to assert final 150 yards, comfortably, won at Galway 2m mdn sft in Oct beating Champagne Vacation (12-0) by 5 1/2l, 9 ran.
Jonbon (FR) 10-11fav (11-4) Held up in touch in 4th, led 3rd, drew clear from 2 out, very easily, won at Newbury 2m mdn (3) gs in Nov beating Good Risk At All (11-4) by 6l, 8 ran.
Knappers Hill (IRE) 1-10fav (11-4) Held up in touch, tracked leader 3rd, travelled strongly to lead last (usual 2 out), pushed clear close home, easily, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) gd in Nov beating Gala De Corton (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Elle Est Belle 2-1 (11-0) Towards rear, going well in close 4th before 2 out, pressed leaders last, ridden and led 1f out on run-in, pushed out and stayed on strongly, won going away, won at Newbury 2m lst (1) gs in Nov beating Ahorsewithnoname (11-0) by 8 1/2l, 6 ran.