Racecards
14:25 Ascot
Ladbroke Hurdle (Showcase Handicap) (Class A)
- 20 Runners
- Distance: 2m 110y
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Form 114-225
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Trainer M C Pipe
- Jockey Mr J E Moore
with leader until weakened 2 out
- Form 1/2210-1
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey M A Fitzgerald
close up, mistake and lost place 5th, tailed off and pulled up before last
- Form 1P0-861
- Age 4
- Weight 10-11
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey L Cooper
mid-division, hit 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
- Form 349-481
- Age 5
- Weight 10-10
- Trainer D Carroll
- Jockey P J Brennan
led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner and lost 2nd near finish
- Form 1110P-F
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Trainer T R George
- Jockey D N Russell
always towards rear, tailed off
- Form 1F7-124
- Age 6
- Weight 10-9
held up and never dangerous
- Form 1-52F13
- Age 5
- Weight 10-8
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey S Stronge
held up, headway 6th, weakened after 2 out
- Form 147/2-62
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
in touch to 3 out, weakened
- Form 16-3406
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mrs M Reveley
- Jockey A Dempsey
prominent, effort going well and every chance when fell 2 out
- Form 16151-0
- Age 7
- Weight 10-4
in touch until weakened 3 out
- Form 95P-332
- Age 8
- Weight 10-4
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey Jimmy McCarthy
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before last
- Form 12P-5
- Age 4
- Weight 10-3
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey J R Kavanagh
mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off
- Form 120-P78
- Age 6
- Weight 10-3
behind stayed on under pressure from last, took 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
- Form 42P481
- Age 5
- Weight 10-2
- Trainer G & J Moore
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
held up, headway and hit 3 out, stayed on
- Form 1/224-1
- Age 7
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N Williamson
in touch, driven to lead 2 out, soon well clear, very easily
- Form 2-02454
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey N Mulholland
prominent to halfway, pulled up before 2 out
In depth
Verdict
The Irish have been having their Christmas money on Holy Orders over the last week and while there is little value in the current odds it will be a surprise if the Willie Mullins-trained gelding is not in the shake up. Unraced over hurdles for 594 days, the favourite has been keeping decent company on the level and looks well treated on his return to hurdling. He is difficult to oppose, even at cramped odds. For those wishing to take on the jolly there is plenty of each-way value to be had. Martin Pipe saddles four runners with the reappearing Polar Red and the German-bred Bernardon looking the pick of his quartet, while Nicky Henderson's Newbury winner Valerio looks the stable number one over Volano and Chauvinist. Jonjo O'Neill's Giocomo, raised 5lbs for his gallant Chepstow success and good Fontwell winner Tikram are others worthy of a mention but we are prepared to side with the Irish in the hope that the selection may drift on course.