November 18 / 13.30 Ascot

13.30

Good To Soft

Troy Asset Management ‘Introductory’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £11618.2
  • 1m 7f 152y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Troy Asset Management ‘Introductory’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
When runner-up in a 3m Irish point (yielding) he chased home Peaky Boy, who later changed hands for £240,000 and recently finished second in a Bangor bumper; his future lies over further but he's an interesting recruit for last year's winning stable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Persian Time

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won twice last season (2m1f/2m2f, good to soft) and he's dropped below his last winning mark; this 7yo represents Nicky Henderson and has plenty of time to get his career back on track but he's struggled this season, most recently back over hurdles in first-time blinkers; cheekpieces now go on.

16/1

9

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Persian Time

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Won twice last season (2m1f/2m2f, good to soft) and he's dropped below his last winning mark; this 7yo represents Nicky Henderson and has plenty of time to get his career back on track but he's struggled this season, most recently back over hurdles in first-time blinkers; cheekpieces now go on.

16/1

2

12th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 3

16:13 Wetherby

Persian Time

11st 13lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

The wheels have rather come off over fences, after last season had started so well, and he's now back over hurdles with first-time headgear applied; nothing wrong with his mark if he can get back on track.

7/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 1-

Last run: 221 days

W: 11st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Posted an eyecatching RPR of 122 when winning on heavy ground at Compiegne in April so he looks above average and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of him on his UK debut; the pick of Gary Moore's pair on jockey bookings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

16th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 53y

Class 4

19:00 Hereford

Diyaken

11st 13lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Debut winner in France and runner-up at Ascot on only run for Gary Moore; returning from 1221 days off when finishing right behind Wild Goose at Kempton (2m, good), despite bleeding from the nose; the nagging concern is that the second run back from an absence isn't always as good as the first.

6/1

3rd

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Kempton

Diyaken

11st 11lb

J: Dylan Johnston

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Winner of sole French start then ran well at Ascot but that promise was in 2022; sold for £20,000 last May; market instructive on return from mammoth absence.

16/1

2nd

1

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 2

13:30 Ascot

Diyaken

11st 7lb

J: Jamie Moore

T: Gary Moore

Posted an eyecatching RPR of 122 when winning on heavy ground at Compiegne in April so he looks above average and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of him on his UK debut; the pick of Gary Moore's pair on jockey bookings.

13/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 431/1- CD

Last run: 384 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Good bumper form and they were smart novices that he beat on his hurdling debut here a year ago (soft), after which he suffered an accident at home that sidelined him for the rest of the season; bred to make a chaser but held in high regard by his top team and should pay his way over hurdles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Kandoo Kid

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Negotiated these fences in dashing style when staying-on third in the 2m5f Topham (soft) last April and returned from wind surgery to win the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (upped to 3m2f, good to soft) in November from Broadway Boy; 7lb higher today; had a run at Newbury five weeks ago and, although there are slightly mixed signals with that display and whether he will be suited by this distance, he looks set for a bold show.

20/1

17

5th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Kandoo Kid

10st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Negotiated these fences in dashing style when staying-on third in the 2m5f Topham (soft) last April and returned from wind surgery to win the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury (upped to 3m2f, good to soft) in November from Broadway Boy; 7lb higher today; had a run at Newbury five weeks ago and, although there are slightly mixed signals with that display and whether he will be suited by this distance, he looks set for a bold show.

20/1

8th

1

1st Mar 2025

Soft

2m 3f 187y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Kandoo Kid

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Grand National hope who landed the big 3m2f handicap here (good to soft; sole outing this term) in November, taking Newbury record to 2121; not crying out for this drop back in trip but ran well in this race last year and warrants respect kept to a course that suits him well.

7/1

Form: 1-3 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Similar form on two visits to Wetherby in winning a bumper (good) and finishing third on his hurdling debut (good to soft); he'll need more in this company but is in the right hands to progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

Don Hollow

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, not fluent 3rd, pressed leader 4 out, led narrowly 3 out

10/1

1st

5

31st Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 207y

Class 3

13:00 Uttoxeter

Don Hollow

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

prominent, not fluent 3rd, pressed leader 4 out, led narrowly 3 out

10/1

6th

5

5th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 50y

Class 4

14:05 Wincanton

Don Hollow

11st 11lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Lightly raced bumper and maiden hurdle winner who caught the eye when fifth at Carlisle in October following a long absence; well beaten at Sandown since but he's in top hands and is not written off.

14/1

Form: 43-2

Last run: 16 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Competitive in an Irish point and both his bumpers; proved no match for a stablemate of Kandoo Kid on his switch to hurdling at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) but there was lots to like in how he finished strongly for second; more to come.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

9th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 144y

Class 1

13:15 Haydock

Bubble Dubi

10st 12lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Has run just four times since 2023; returned from long absence to win at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) last November but failed to repeat the form in prestigious handicaps at Newbury and Sandown; something to prove.

50/1

8

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Bubble Dubi

11st 3lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Won at Chepstow (2m, heavy) in February 2024 and this 9yo was racing for the first time since when winning at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in November 2025; he's a lot better than he showed at Newbury latest (2m, heavy; again failed to settle) but is hard to fancy on the back of that heavy defeat.

50/1

8th

9

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 69y

Class 1

15:20 Newbury

Bubble Dubi

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Hammond

T: Stuart Edmunds

Missed last term but showed further progress to score readily at Aintree (2m1f, good to soft) in sole outing this season, albeit the form may not be reliable as several hurdles were omitted; on a stiffer mark and goes up sharply in class.

20/1

Form: 5

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Pointing exploits are nothing special and he was 100-1 when comfortably held in a good-ground novices' hurdle here three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

26th Dec 2023

Soft

2m 3f 49y

Class 5

12:32 Fontwell

Mister Mose

12st 0lb

J: Cillin Leonard

T: Andy Irvine

in touch with leaders, mistake and lost ground 4 out, in rear and struggling from 3 out

14/1

11th

7

30th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:45 Lingfield

Mister Mose

11st 0lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Andy Irvine

took keen hold

33/1

6th

7

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 2

13:30 Ascot

Mister Mose

11st 2lb

J: Sean Houlihan

T: Paul Henderson

Pointing exploits are nothing special and he was 100-1 when comfortably held in a good-ground novices' hurdle here three weeks ago.

100/1

OUR TIP

Form: 1/

Last run: 796 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won his only French hurdle start by 9l (on good) but not easy to gauge what he achieved and he looks the stable second string on this return from a long absence; probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

21st Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 11y

Class 5

14:15 Chepstow

Schelem

11st 11lb

J: Rob Hargreaves

T: Gary Moore

Won sole French start (hurdle; good); well-beaten outsider at Ascot in November 2022 after 796 days away and had another 473 days on the sidelines prior to struggling on handicap debut at Lingfield (beaten when falling); still early days but a good bit of guesswork involved to make a case.

13/2

3

5th Mar 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:32 Lingfield

Schelem

11st 6lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

took keen hold, held up in last, went third after 3rd

13/2

7th

3

18th Nov 2022

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 2

13:30 Ascot

Schelem

11st 7lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

Won his only French hurdle start by 9l (on good) but not easy to gauge what he achieved and he looks the stable second string on this return from a long absence; probably best watched.

25/1

Form: 24-3

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fetched £300,000 after finishing third in an Irish point; ran well in both his bumpers and it was a good novice hurdle in which he finished third at Chepstow (good to soft) last month after an absence of 221 days; should build on that and make his presence felt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Master Chewy

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Finished a creditable close second of three finishers in a Grade 2 at Kempton (about 2m4f, good) in January but he's an infrequent winner and it's two years since he ran well in a Grade 1 (not far away when falling two out in the Arkle here, then touched off at Aintree); well adrift in this race last year and there's no reason to expect much better today.

100/1

5th

1

7th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 0f 92y

Class 1

14:45 Newbury

Master Chewy

11st 8lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Landed this prize last year but incurs a bigger penalty this time, making him worse off with runner-up Libberty Hunter, and concedes weight to some other notable rivals that include a very promising 5yo; outgunned by 12yo Edwardstone at Kempton most recently; chance of doing the Game Spirit double partly depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

11/1

2

26th Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Master Chewy

11st 6lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

Unproven at this trip but kept on well to win Grade 2 Game Spirit at Newbury (2m, soft) in February and his two subsequent defeats came in Grade 1s; likes it here, with course form figures of 122, and he's fine on good ground; from in-form yard and can play leading role if seeing out the trip.

4/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £31.40
Straight Forecast £30.07
Trifecta £90.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Kandoo Kid

LAMBOURN:

Persian Time

D Express:

Don Hollow

POSTDATA:

Master Chewy

Telegraph:

Persian Time

RP Ratings:

Kandoo Kid

TOPSPEED:

Kandoo Kid

WEST COUNTRY:

Kandoo Kid

The Times:

Kandoo Kid

The Guardian:

Kandoo Kid

Daily Mail:

Kandoo Kid

Daily Mirror:

Kandoo Kid

The Sun:

Kandoo Kid

The Star:

Kandoo Kid

Daily Record:

Kandoo Kid