Racecards
13:00 Ascot
Redstone 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Class 3)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 3f 110y
- Going: Good
- Surface: Turf
- £8,000 added
- Winner: £5,005
- 2nd: £1,478
- 3rd: £739
- 4th: £370
- Form U1-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Harry Skelton
tracked leader, challenged from 3 out, weakened before last
Brass Tax (IRE)
279- Form 3P/150-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
led to 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner
- Form 0-85
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer M Keighley
- Jockey Alain Cawley
held up towards rear, blundered 6th, pushed along and lost place after 7th
- Form 2
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey D Elsworth
tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out, soon outpaced
Simonsig
207- Form 1F1-1
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey B J Geraghty
held up in touch, chased leading pair after 4th, joined leaders on bit 3 out, led 2 out, soon clear, eased towards finish
- Form 85-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer N A Twiston-Davies
- Jockey David England
held up mid-division, outpaced from 4 out, headway when hit 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on towards finish
- Form 3/
- Age 6
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey A Thornton
held up behind, effort and hit 3 out, soon outpaced
- Form P1
- Age 4
- Weight 10-12
- Trainer C J Mann
- Jockey N D Fehily
held up mid-division, pushed along after 3 out and outpaced
- Form 97-86
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Trainer Mrs L C Jewell
- Jockey J E Moore
in rear, blundered 7th, soon weakened, fell 4 out
Verdict
Bobcatbilly, Isleofhopendreams and Western King all arrive here having shown decent form in point-to-points and are worth a second look. Brass Tax has also won between the flags, though was well beaten in a couple of starts under Rules last winter so this should be all about SIMONSIG. He had a tall reputation in Irish points and went some way towards justifying the hype with a smooth victory in a Fairyhouse bumper in April. There should be more to come now he tackles hurdles and this looks a decent starting point. Busby Berkeley and The Musical Guy look the best of those with previous experience.
Formwatch
Bobcatbilly (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs in 3rd until 2nd from 8th, mstks 4out & 3out, chall ldr gng well aftr 3out, ld early flat & row, won at Killeagh 3m ire ptp sft in Jan beating Analyse That (12-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Brass Tax (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 6th, soon behind, tailed off, 13th of 18, well behind Radetsky March (11-11) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Busby Berkeley (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, mistakes 4th and 5th, effort 3 out, never on terms, last of 5, 16l behind Speed Master (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Isleofhopendreams 10-1 (11-7) Rcd 4th & gng well 5out, went 2nd 4out & chall ldr brfly 3out, 1 1/2l 2nd & btn when mstk 2out, no ex, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Shockingtimes (11-7) at Dawstown 3m ire ptp sft in May.
Simonsig 11-4fav (11-7) Settled in mid-division on inner, good headway approaching straight, led travelling best over 2f out, soon drew clear, easily, won at Fairyhouse 2m 2f NH flat gd in Apr beating Kandinski (11-7) by 13l, 16 ran.
The Musical Guy (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, in rear before 5th, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced, last of 5, 25l behind A Bridge Too Far (11-8) at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Tycoons Reflection (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on steadily final 2f to take 3rd final furlong, better for experience, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Bobs Worth (10-13) at Kempton 2m NH flat (6) gd in Apr '10.
Western King (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Mostly 2nd, ld 4out, hdd 2out & cl 2nd from last, rallied flat & jnd ldr on line, won at Dromahane 3m ire ptp gd in May deadheating with Shake The Bucket (11-7), 11 ran.
Fifi L'amour (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Off the pace in 5th, struggling from 6th, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Grabtheglory (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.