November 24 / 12.15 Ascot

12.15

Good To Soft

Ascot Partners “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £8168.46
  • 2m 3f 58y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
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Ascot Partners “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 210-2 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Bumper winner (2m, good to soft) who was tailed off in Grade 2 at Aintree but bounced back when going close in a big field on last month's hurdle and seasonal debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft); he was clear of the remainder and sets a strong standard for the rest of these to aim at.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Beat The Bat

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Sometimes let down by his jumping and he was none too fluent at the final flight when beaten about 5l in the Coral Cup (2m5f); wasn't exactly strong through the line that day and others might see this out better at 3m.

10/1

5th

12

1st May 2025

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

16:15 Punchestown

Beat The Bat

11st 3lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Sometimes let down by his jumping and he was none too fluent at the final flight when beaten about 5l in the Coral Cup (2m5f); wasn't exactly strong through the line that day and others might see this out better at 3m.

10/1

4th

24

12th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 1

14:40 Cheltenham

Beat The Bat

10st 8lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Has a largely solid record and ran well over 2m3f at Haydock on reappearance; back to 2m for both starts since and he ran as if in need of further, nevertheless finishing a good fifth of 17 in top handicap at Newbury (soft; has won on good) last time; could be a leading player if he can iron out the repeated sticky jumping he showed that day.

10/1

6/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easily won on debut in Irish maiden point last December (3m, yielding; wind op since) and has joined a leading trainer for his rules career; he's an exciting prospect who could have a major part to play.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

23rd Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:05 Kempton

Welcom To Cartries

11st 13lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Contrasting performances since switched to handicap chases, winning narrowly at Sandown then folding tamely at Ascot, both over 3m; presents a dilemma but could have more to offer provided he's back on song and it's too soon to write him off.

3/1

3

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 185y

Class 3

13:00 Ascot

Welcom To Cartries

11st 11lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced 8yo who held on narrowly at Sandown (3m, good to soft; handicap chase debut) most recently, adding to his point/hurdle wins and posting a career-best performance; may be capable of further improvement in this sphere and commands respect.

4/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 3 BF

Last run: 195 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won on debut in Irish maiden point (3m, yielding to soft) last December; only third when favourite for bumper debut at Warwick (2m, good to soft) in May but the pair that beat him have both won over hurdles since, and he may still have a very bright future for his top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Ideal Des Bordes

11st 12lb

J: Mr Daniel Williams

T: Nicky Henderson

Made bright start to chasing career in early 2024, winning at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) before clear second at Kempton (3m, good to soft), but dropped out of contention worryingly quickly on final two starts last season (had wind op in between) and needs to prove his wellbeing.

12/1

5th

7

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Ideal Des Bordes

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Good-ground maiden hurdle winner who scored on his chase debut at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) in January before clear second to Eyed at Kempton (3m, good to soft); flopped at Kempton last time but has had wind surgery since and it will be no surprise if he bounces back with a bold show.

10/1

5th

7

12th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 20y

Class 2

13:43 Ayr

Ideal Des Bordes

10st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

took keen hold, prominent, briefly led 2nd

10/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won Irish maiden point (3m, yielding) in April on third start and changed hands for £60,000 the following month; brings potential to this rules debut and his trainer is among the winners; possible contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

20th May 2026

Good

2m 5f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Warwick

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

2024 EBF Final winner off 7lb higher; unseated too far out at Uttoxeter latest to say if and where he may have figured, but his poor winter up to that point tempers enthusiasm either way; overlooked.

10/1

4

28th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 70y

Class 4

16:20 Uttoxeter

Champagne Twist

11st 11lb

J: Elliott England

T: Ben Pauling

Very promising novice during 2023-24 season but generally very disappointing over last two campaigns; has dropped a long way in the weights but he was pulled up three times during the winter before a remote fifth at Newbury (3m, good to soft) last time; down the list.

12/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Improved with each of his three runs in Irish maiden points and finished second in January (3m, good) when last seen; bought for £65,000 in February; makes rules debut in a tongue-tie and with his stable in fine form; no surprise to see a good performance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

14th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 104y

Class 5

18:40 Fontwell

Ballyfinn

12st 7lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Made the breakthrough on his fifth start over fences when scoring here (3m2f, good) last Wednesday; back down in trip under 7lb penalty but not fully exposed and looks a key player.

2/1

1st

2

6th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 210y

Class 5

18:42 Fontwell

Ballyfinn

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Lengthy breaks are a feature in his profile; beaten at least 10l in all four runs over fences (2m5f-3m1f) and brought up the rear last time at Plumpton; unconvincing.

8/1

4th

1

5th Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 157y

Class 5

14:20 Plumpton

Ballyfinn

12st 0lb

J: Chad Bament

T: Anthony Honeyball

Lightly raced and lengthy breaks are a feature in his profile; beaten at least 10l in all three runs over fences (2m5f-3m1f) and he needs to find a bit from somewhere to defy this sort of mark, for all that it's dropped.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Ran three times in France (all over hurdles) and was runner-up in the spring on the last two occasions (2m3f/2m2f, very soft); should make his mark in Britain but improvement needed to win this warm race on stable debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

Bataillon

12st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Unable to justify warm favouritism when well-held fourth at Wincanton (3m1f, good to soft) last month but will appreciate this ease in grade, and the form of his breakthrough win at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft) has worked out well; big player if back on song.

6/1

4th

9

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

15:40 Wincanton

Bataillon

11st 2lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Beaten 13l into second at Taunton latest (2m7f, heavy) but still consolidated the form of his previous C&D win there (again under Jack Stenhouse) on ground closer to today's; shortlisted despite another 3lb rise.

5/2

2nd

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

14:50 Taunton

Bataillon

11st 12lb

J: Mr Jack Stenhouse

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Relished the step back up in trip when overhauling Ted The Thief from the last over C&D (good to soft) under Jack Stenhouse last month on just his second start over fences; today's ground (which he acts on) should place even more emphasis on stamina, which promises to suit him; gets the vote.

7/2

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Displayed ability among his three starts in the British pointing sphere in the spring and bought for £30,000 in May; however, others have shown greater promise and he may be one for further down the line.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

13:30 Huntingdon

Theres Claude

11st 4lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Polly Gundry

Refusal to settle on first start for over 22 months inevitably caught up with him on last month's chase/handicap debut over C&D; needs to help himself more, but already okay mark lowered 3lb more; tongue tie added.

25/1

4th

9

9th Feb 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:10 Kempton

Theres Claude

11st 5lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Polly Gundry

Displayed some ability in points last March/April and was only beaten about 30l on his two hurdling starts towards the end of last year (2m3f/2m4f) but significant improvement is required here.

50/1

20/1

Form: 1-6

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Easy bumper winner on Warwick debut (2m, soft) in March; soundly beaten when sixth of 15 at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) last month but was outpaced in that warm bumper and this half-brother to 4m Eider winner Wyck Hill is open to improvement now up in trip on hurdle debut; each-way possible.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

28th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 5f 56y

Class 4

15:55 Wetherby

Willsburg

11st 13lb

J: Tom Cannon

T: Oliver Signy

Bumper winner who won at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) last month on his third hurdle start and was narrowly in front from Magical King (who was receiving 7lb) when falling at the final flight here (2m3f, soft) last time; this 5yo front-runner brings potential to his handicap debut and could go well.

9/2

2

29th Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 154y

Class 4

14:15 Wetherby

Willsburg

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Won Warwick bumper on debut last March and improved upon his first two hurdle runs when winning at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) four weeks ago; carries a penalty today and could do with jumping better, but the first-time cheekpieces could help in that regard and his latest form reads well; key player.

15/8

1st

8

1st Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 0y

Class 4

13:30 Ffos Las

Willsburg

11st 9lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Oliver Signy

Won soft-ground Warwick bumper by 9l on debut last March and was very respectable sixth of 15 at Cheltenham (good to soft) in October; began hurdling career with two low-key runs towards end of last year, but was only beaten about 18l when sixth of 18 at Newbury (2m, soft) on latter occasion; still has potential.

8/1

Form: P-

Last run: 245 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won an Irish maiden point (3m, soft) in April 2022 on second start but then absent until March, when pulled up at 200-1 on hurdle debut (2m4f, soft) at Newbury; probably best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

22nd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

14:45 Lingfield

Meetmeatthearch

11st 6lb

J: Tabitha Worsley

T: Richard Rowe

Point winner in April 2022 but pulled up at massive odds last year on his first two rules starts.

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Well-beaten second behind useful prospect on debut in British maiden point (2m4f, soft) last November, then easily won in March (2m4f, soft); sold for £54,000 in April; it was a very weak race he won but he certainly has ability and is not ruled out on this rules debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

2nd Jun 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Pep Talking

11st 6lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Bold-jumping front-runner with seven wins from 18 starts over fences; ideally served by further than 2m but won over this trip at Chepstow (good to soft) in April; ran well again when runner-up at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last month and will be the one to catch.

5/1

2nd

4

7th May 2026

Good

2m 3f 189y

Class 4

13:45 Huntingdon

Pep Talking

11st 8lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Billy Aprahamian

Took form to another new level when winning by 10l from the front at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) last month and is now 7-17 over fences (includes course win); today's trip-and-ground combination will also suit; respected.

5/2

1st

5

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 16y

Class 4

13:40 Chepstow

Pep Talking

11st 6lb

J: Paul O’Brien

T: Billy Aprahamian

Record of 5-12 for current yard; campaigned mostly at longer trips but the way he shaped over a sharp 2m2f last time (ran well on return from break) suggests this galloping 2m may not be a problem; in the mix.

11/4

Non-runners

Montys Soldier

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.70
Straight Forecast £4.20
Trifecta £7.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Beat The Bat

LAMBOURN:

Ideal Des Bordes

SPOTLIGHT:

Welcom To Cartries

The Star:

Willsburg

TOPSPEED:

Beat The Bat

POSTDATA:

Beat The Bat

WEST COUNTRY:

Beat The Bat

The Times:

Beat The Bat

The Guardian:

Beat The Bat

Daily Mirror:

Beat The Bat

Daily Record:

Beat The Bat

Daily Mail:

Welcom To Cartries

Telegraph:

Ideal Des Bordes

D Express:

Ideal Des Bordes

The Sun:

Ideal Des Bordes