Racecards
13:15 Ascot
Thames Materials Novices' Hurdle (Class 2)
- 4 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 58y
- Going: Soft (Heavy in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £25,000 added
- Winner: £15,640
- 2nd: £4,620
- 3rd: £2,310
- 4th: £1,155
- Form 105-211
- Age 6
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 151
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
led, hit 4 out and next, headed 2 out, ridden and weakened into 3rd before last
- Form 1-11
- Age 5
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey B J Geraghty
jumped well, tracked leader, led 2 out, over 3 lengths ahead last, stayed on strongly to go further clear run-in, impressive
- Form 23
- Age 5
- Weight 11-0
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
raced keenly, held up in 4th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, 3rd next, went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace, no chance with easy winner
- Form 5-252
- Age 6
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
tracked leading pair, hit 3rd, weakened 2 out
Verdict
There is some uncertainty surrounding this opener with both of the likely market principals entered at Exeter tomorrow as a precaution. Master Debonair is the form pick on his two victories over 2m here, the latter a Grade 2. But former pointer SPORTING JOHN has the proven stamina and he’s looked a very smart recruit in winning twice at Exeter. Torn And Frayed and Pipesmoker have both shown ability and should be winning before the season is out.
Formwatch
Master Debonair 3-1 (11-3) Made all, not fluent last 2, ridden and ran on, won at Ascot 2m (1) hvy in Dec beating Ribble Valley (11-0) by 8l, 4 ran.
Sporting John (IRE) 1-4fav (11-4) Always prominent, poised to challenge after 4 out, led after next, pushed clear between last 2, in no danger after, easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec beating Buckhorn George (10-12) by 8l, 18 ran.
Pipesmoker (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place when ridden after 2 out, one pace before last, rallied flat, took 3rd closing stages, not reach front pair, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Chantry House (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
Torn And Frayed (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Close up, jumped left and led 3rd, ridden and headed last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 11, 3 1/4l behind Whatsupwithyou (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) hvy in Dec.