Racecards
16:05 Ascot
Matchbook British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 3)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 141y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £10,400 added
- Winner: £6,758
- 2nd: £1,984
- 3rd: £992
- 4th: £496
- Form U/52-261
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer L Wadham
- Jockey L P Aspell
held up in last trio, closer before 5th, pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, one pace and no chance with 1st 2, weakened into 4th run-in
- Form 16-31F
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer Mrs J Williams
- Jockey Lizzie Kelly
raced keenly, held up in rear, good headway on outside chasing leaders before 6th, 2nd before 4 out until 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before next
- Form 3-1
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey R M Power
in touch, mistake and lost place 6th, plugged on into 4th 2 out, went 3rd run-in, no chance with 1st 2
- Form 371-513
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
tracked leaders on inside, led after 3 out, joined next, kept slight advantage, strongly pressed towards finish, headed post
- Form 1-2
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
raced keenly tracking leading pair, 2nd soon after 3 out, upsides from 2 out, hit last, strong challenge under pressure close home, led post
- Form 85
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
- Trainer B Pauling
- Jockey Danny McMenamin
led, awkward 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened and mistake next
- Form 29-027
- Age 5
- Weight 11-2
with leader until lost 2nd before 4 out, soon weakened
- Form 4232-3
- Age 6
- Weight 11-2
held up in last pair, never a factor
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Moonlighter appeared to be travelling as well as if-not-better than eventual runner-up DOWNTOWN GETAWAY when taking a crashing fall in the race won by Tidal Flow at Newbury. But Nicky Henderson’s charge was making his debut over hurdles that day and returning from a lay-off so has the greater scope for improvement. Champagne Well showed definite promise at Taunton and there should be more to come while Russian Hawk made a winning start over timber at Exeter, though has something to find with the selection on collateral form. Admiral Barratry looks the pick of the remainder but will need to improve again on his battling win at Huntingdon to beat some of these.
Formwatch
Admiral Barratry (FR) 2-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, led next, ridden and hit last, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating Deyrann de Carjac (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Moonlighter 16-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 4th, every chance when fell heavily 2 out, at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Russian Hawk 4-1 (10-12) In touch, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, held on towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 6f (4) gs in Nov beating Diomede des Mottes (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Champagne Well (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, flattened 3 out, soon pushed along and outpaced in 3rd, kept on under pressure run-in, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Zanza (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Downtown Getaway (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake and reminder 3 out, soon outpaced, went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Tidal Flow (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Fifth Symphony (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Tracked winner, hit 6th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Two For Gold (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Nearly Perfect 11-4 (10-12) Chased winner before 2nd until not fluent 8th, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 12, dist behind Ask The Weatherman (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) hvy in Dec.
Scorpion Haze (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and headway 2 out, staying on when hit last, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Moonlighter (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) gd in Nov.
Rosy World 5-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, never on terms, well beaten from next, 6th of 12, 26 1/2l behind Coole Well (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Dec.