April 02 / 17.20 Ascot

17.20

Good To Soft

Ascot Shop Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £8449.6
  • 2m 5f 141y
  • Class 3
  • 15 runners
SKY
View Course
Ascot Shop Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 15 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

OUR TIP

11/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: -42F45 BF

Last run: 36 days

W: 10st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Perhaps isn't straightforward and could do with settling better; was an unplaced favourite at Kempton last time but that may have come too soon, seven days after near-19l fourth of 12 here, and the clear first two have given that penultimate form a big boost; things may click at some point for this lightly raced 5yo, who won on very soft ground in France.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ivaldi

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

in rear

14/1

6

8th Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 3

13:50 Newbury

Ivaldi

11st 8lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

in rear

14/1

9th

6

30th Nov 2024

Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 2

13:54 Newbury

Ivaldi

11st 7lb

J: Lorcan Williams

T: Paul Nicholls

always behind

16/1

12/1

  • Place: £6.30

Form: /33P-5

Last run: 49 days

W: 12st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Two-time hurdle winner; classy novice chaser in 2020-21 and showed some spark over fences as recently as last March; has dropped down the weights but last season was disappointing overall and he was well beaten over hurdles on his sole run this term; cheekpieces go on; return to form needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

24th Mar 2024

Good

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:05 Ascot

Espoir De Romay

11st 8lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Soundly beaten on all three starts this season but showed some spark at Newbury two starts ago, when failing to see out 3m, and he's 7lb lower than when second in this race last year (good to soft); not written off.

12/1

4th

2

24th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 3f 100y

Class 3

15:10 Chepstow

Espoir De Romay

11st 9lb

J: David Bass

T: Kim Bailey

Seemingly boosted by addition of cheekpieces when placed twice last spring (2m5f/2m7f) but, following a break, was below par on both outings towards end of last year; arguably ran better than eventual 19l defeat suggests at Newbury (3m, good to soft) on latter occasion but others appeal more all the same.

8/1

11/2

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 67-12P BF

Last run: 69 days

W: 10st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Improved form when winning on handicap and seasonal debut at Wetherby (2m3f, good to soft) last October and good second at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) next time; flopped at Ffos Las (2m4f, soft) in February last time out but he's in top hands and is a likely player if bouncing back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Rocky Man

11st 9lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

With a leading trainer and he's dropped to a dangerous mark; could get back on track at some stage and a market check is advised, but he's struggled on his three outings this season.

12/1

8th

3

19th Apr 2024

Soft

2m 4f 100y

Class 4

16:30 Ayr

Rocky Man

11st 9lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

With a leading trainer and he's dropped to a dangerous mark; could get back on track at some stage and a market check is advised, but he's struggled on his three outings this season.

12/1

2

12th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 3f 66y

Class 4

14:00 Catterick

Rocky Man

11st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

raced wide, took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 6th, outpaced and dropped to rear after 3 out, pulled up after 2 out

11/4

Form: -54633

Last run: 29 days

W: 10st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Runs off a mark 3lb higher than when 3l third of seven at Doncaster (3m, good) last month and this is a deeper race; however, it was a better run than most of these managed last time and he's respected each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

21st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

13:40 Stratford

Hasty Parisian

11st 11lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Just 1-20 over hurdles for Milton Harris/Anthony Charlton and has not been firing on all cylinders since returning from a break in the autumn; starts off for new trainer on a good mark and with conditions to suit but still needs today's headgear switch to perk him up.

14/1

4th

4

21st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 83y

Class 5

13:40 Stratford

Hasty Parisian

11st 11lb

J: Bradley Harris

T: Harriet Dickin

Just 1-20 over hurdles for Milton Harris/Anthony Charlton and has not been firing on all cylinders since returning from a break in the autumn; starts off for new trainer on a good mark and with conditions to suit but still needs today's headgear switch to perk him up.

14/1

5

12th Apr 2024

Good

2m 7f 95y

Class 5

15:45 Fakenham

Hasty Parisian

11st 11lb

T: Harriet Dickin

Form: 21-P00 CD

Last run: 16 days

W: 10st 13lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Runner-up at Sandown (2m4f, soft) last March and won over this C&D (good) next time; he's well treated on that form and is one to watch in the betting now back down in grade, but he's struggled on his three runs this year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

22nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

12:45 Ascot

Fifty Ball

11st 6lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Gary Moore

2-5 at Ascot; mostly disappointing in his nine runs this year, including twice at this track, and his best run in that period came when runner-up over 3m2f in May; wore cheekpieces on last four starts; 12lb higher this time last year but a revival is needed.

8/1

Form: P-P71P

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 8lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has run well just once among his last six starts and when pulled up over 2m7f at Chepstow last time he was beaten before stamina may have been an issue; however, he won in good style at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) two starts ago and isn't written off for a yard among the winners.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

16:23 Uttoxeter

Ballybegg

11st 11lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Dual C&D winner; went close off today's mark at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this regressive 10yo was soundly beaten over fences when last in action and would appeal much more on slower ground.

25/1

3

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

20:18 Stratford

Ballybegg

12st 1lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Inconsistent 10yo who was well beaten when back over fences in May (2m6f), then unsuited by the drop back to 2m on his most recent start at Newton Abbot last month when a well-held third of six; on a good mark if the mood takes him now back up to a more suitable test.

10/1

3rd

3

13th Jun 2025

Good

2m 0f 75y

Class 4

19:55 Newton Abbot

Ballybegg

11st 6lb

J: Richard Patrick

T: Kerry Lee

Went close over hurdles at Ludlow (2m5f, good) in March but this inconsistent and steadily regressive 10yo was well beaten when back over fences last month (2m6f); drops back to about 2m for first time since hurdle debut in 2020; has done all his winning on ground slower than good.

10/1

Form: 59/F33

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Not the force of old since returning from a long absence and was no match for the easy winner when third of 12 at Sandown (2m4f, soft) last month; however, it was still a step back in the right direction and he may be able to take another today, now another 3lb lower.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

1st Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:50 Musselburgh

Sir Psycho

10st 13lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Harry Derham

in touch with leaders

12/1

Form: -70349 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in Grade 1 novice at Aintree last April and has dropped down the weights; however, he may be flattered by that peak performance and has struggled to get competitive this season; cheekpieces go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

24th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

15:08 Chepstow

Gentleman At Arms

11st 3lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Stuart Edmunds

Had a career-low jumps mark when winning at Aintree (3m, soft) in November; that was a doughty performance but he reverted to heavy defeats on both starts since; has been wearing cheekpieces but now tries a visor; 7lb claimer is recruited.

25/1

7th

4

13th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

13:49 Warwick

Gentleman At Arms

11st 2lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Well down the weights and took advantage with Aintree win (3m, soft) in November; that was a doughty performance but he reverted to a heavy defeat when back up 5lb at Newbury three weeks later; needs more like the novice form he showed in the 2021-22 season.

12/1

11th

5

1st Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

15:35 Newbury

Gentleman At Arms

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Stuart Edmunds

Well down weights and took advantage with Aintree win (3m, soft) three weeks ago; that was a doughty performance but he's back up 5lb and probably now needs more like the novice form he showed in the 2021-22 season.

8/1

Form: 1-B111

Last run: 59 days

W: 11st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Has won his last four completed starts, all over fences (2m4f-3m1f; good-soft); there's a question mark about whether he'll transfer his improvement back to hurdles but he's a two-time winner in this sphere and has to be respected off a mark 3lb lower than when winning at Wincanton last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

9/1

Form: 310-1P CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 11st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-5 over hurdles (including a win over C&D on soft) when defying an absence to land a Plumpton handicap (3m1f, good to soft) in January; found to be coughing after being pulled up at Haydock latest; retains potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th Aug 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Jerrash

11st 11lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Did at least get round last time but was pretty much tailed off and didn't jump that well; others safer.

12/1

3

21st Jul 2025

Good

3m 1f 107y

Class 4

16:20 Cartmel

Jerrash

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Easily reeled in and was pulled up after blasting off in front at Market Rasen a fortnight ago (well backed), and has now failed to complete all four races this year; on a workable mark and suited by this C&D but needs to get career back on track.

9/1

6

6th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 89y

Class 3

16:20 Market Rasen

Jerrash

11st 6lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Mickey Bowen

Last win came in this race 12 months ago when 4lb lower; can struggle to find fluency over his fences and hasn't completed in his last three races; bit risky.

10/1

16/1

Form: /3548- C

Last run: 358 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Won four in a row in early 2021 (including here) but below par on his four starts last season, initially over fences, and he's been absent since; this 10yo returns with plenty to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

16

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

JAi Froid

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

12yo returning from 315 days off when 33-1 at Chepstow (3m, soft) 19 days ago but he had the call from approaching the final flight; back up 5lb in this hot race, he needs to find best form since his peak year of 2021.

66/1

1st

7

22nd Feb 2025

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

14:32 Chepstow

JAi Froid

10st 12lb

J: Harry Reed

T: L J Morgan

Useful at his peak and still versatile last term, winning over 1m7f (heavy) and 3m1f (soft); however, backward steps on last two starts and he's now a 12yo returning from 315 days off.

25/1

8th

13

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

JAi Froid

10st 11lb

J: John Kington

T: L J Morgan

Useful at his peak and still versatile at the age of 11, winning over 1m7f (heavy) and 3m1f (soft) this term; however, put firmly in his place by Cuthbert Dibble at Haydock last time and may struggle to turn things round.

28/1

Form: 23F35P

Last run: 78 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Pulled up in the Lanzarote at Kempton (2m5f, soft) in January last time but it was a highly attritional race and only four of the 20 finished; prior to that he ran well for a long way when not quite seeing out Cheltenham's stiff 3m and he's interesting now 5lb lower; has won on various ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

25th Jul 2025

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

15:47 Uttoxeter

Shantou Express

11st 13lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Five-time hurdle winner; seemed to respond well to first-time cheekpieces (retained) when very respectable third at Stratford (2m6f, good to firm) this month but has become too inconsistent to rely upon.

12/1

3rd

5

1st Jul 2025

Good To Firm

2m 6f 7y

Class 4

19:48 Stratford

Shantou Express

11st 8lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

5-32 over hurdles (2m-3m2f), including on good to firm; first run back from a break in April was encouraging but he's gone backwards since and has to be forgiven a poor effort latest; on a fair mark if first-time cheekpieces help.

14/1

7th

1

7th Jun 2025

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:25 Worcester

Shantou Express

12st 2lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Possible to say he's been temptingly handicapped for a while now, but dropping into a 0-110 here for just the second time; some hope if getting a less contested lead than last time (C&D), which isn't a given.

12/1

Form: 31296P D

Last run: 17 days

W: 11st 6lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Plenty to prove regarding current form but soft ground has been against him the last twice and he's well treated on last autumn's chase form on good/good to firm; won twice over hurdles earlier in his career (both on good to soft) and he's not ruled out if conditions suit.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

26th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:30 Warwick

Lord Accord

12st 0lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Neil Mulholland

Pulled up at the Cheltenham Festival a fortnight ago when back from a break; this 11yo is back in much calmer waters today and he's a player if rediscovering the good front-running form he was showing on good/good to soft ground in the autumn when these blinkers first went on.

15/2

24

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Lord Accord

10st 10lb

J: Mr N McParlan

T: Neil Mulholland

Course winner who scored in first-time blinkers (retained since) at Fontwell (3m2f, good to soft) in October before 11l second at Ascot (3m5f, good); this 11yo returns from a break today and may find this too competitive.

50/1

Form: -21415

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Won at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) in December and improved again to score in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Exeter (2m7f, good to soft) in February; also handles soft; he's not straightforward and was unplaced last time, but it wasn't a bad run; could still have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

32

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Top Of The Bill

10st 5lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

One of several who are now in the veteran stage but also in the form of their lives; 7l winner at Haydock (extended 3m1f) in November and returned there with an excellent, rallying second in the Grand National Trial (extended 3m4f, again good to soft) in February; ridden last three starts by Toby McCain-Mitchell; back up 2lb and an interesting prospect for 4m2f but this is a much stronger race.

50/1

2nd

1

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

15:15 Haydock

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies

10yo who posted a career-best performance with comfortable win here (extended 3m1f, good to soft) in November, and he's also won on soft ground; not written off after just one below-par run but he was well held in the Tommy Whittle here in December and has to leave that effort miles behind.

25/1

1st

1

21st Mar 2025

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 3

15:40 Ffos Las

Top Of The Bill

12st 0lb

J: Jordan Nailor

T: Nigel Twiston-Davies

Took very well to fences last season, winning three times over 3m (good to soft-soft), but returned with two disappointing runs in the autumn; needs to get back on track and will have something to prove if the ground stays good (unraced on anything quicker than good to soft).

11/2

Form: 211-16

Last run: 29 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Returned from long absence to belatedly land a hat-trick (all 2m4f, good) on handicap debut at Southwell in January; travelling okay in rear when badly hampered by a faller at the third-last flight at Kelso last time (2m5f, good to soft); showed promise on soft in Ireland and he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

2nd Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 141y

Class 3

17:20 Ascot

Clay Rogers

11st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, lost ground but in touch with leaders after 4th

10/1

6th

6

4th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 189y

Class 2

15:00 Kelso

Clay Rogers

11st 1lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Returned from a long absence to belatedly land a hat-trick on handicap debut at Southwell (2m4f, good) in January; 6lb higher in a better race here but every chance he has more to offer; showed promise on soft in Ireland.

7/1

1st

4

29th Jan 2023

Good

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

16:10 Southwell

Clay Rogers

11st 12lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Olly Murphy

Makes handicap debut after quite an absence and they were weak 2m4f events that he won at Uttoxeter when last seen in 2021; the cheekpieces worn for those wins are absent; would need to see some confidence behind him, especially with the yard also running Clonakilty.

13/2

Non-runners

Lord Accord

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £78.50
Straight Forecast £60.20
Tricast £479.57
Trifecta £585.50

Selections

The Times:

Certainly Red

POSTDATA:

Ivaldi

RP Ratings:

Jerrash

SPOTLIGHT:

Shantou Express

The Sun:

Sir Psycho

The Star:

Fifty Ball

WEST COUNTRY:

Ivaldi

D Express:

Jerrash

Telegraph:

Certainly Red

Daily Mirror:

Certainly Red

TOPSPEED:

Shantou Express

Daily Record:

Sir Psycho