February 18 / 13.20 Ascot

13.20

Good

Ascot Racecourse Supports Schools Poetry Competition Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 2m 3f 58y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
SKY
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Ascot Racecourse Supports Schools Poetry Competition Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

3/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 21-13 BF

Last run: 97 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 126

Form & Verdict
Impressed in a bumper in November 2021 and justified short odds on hurdle debut at Carlisle (2m1f, good to soft) in October; beaten favourite but not discredited when third in Grade 2 at Cheltenham (2m, good) in November; bred to benefit from today's step up in trip and still has significant potential; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

midfield

13/2

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

1st

4

1st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

14:05 Cheltenham

Springwell Bay

11st 3lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

took keen hold, towards rear, mistake 11th, headway going easily from 3 out, led after 2 out, good jump last, went clear run-in, comfortably

3/1

7/2

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 1 C

Last run: 92 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Left in front at final flight before keeping on well to make winning rules debut here (1m7f, good to soft) in November; held by stablemate Attacca on a line through the last-flight faller in that race but has plenty of scope for improvement.
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

OUR TIP

Form: 2-11

Last run: 71 days

W: 11st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Made all in useful Cheltenham novice (2m1f, good) in December and is now 2-2 over hurdles; ought to be suited by the longer trip here and a tilt at next month's Ballymore at Cheltenham could be on the agenda if all goes to plan today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

18th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 58y

Class 2

13:20 Ascot

Attacca

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Made all in useful Cheltenham novice (2m1f, good) in December and is now 2-2 over hurdles; ought to be suited by the longer trip here and a tilt at next month's Ballymore at Cheltenham could be on the agenda if all goes to plan today.

11/8

2

31st Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 1

15:00 Newbury

Attacca

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

1st

1

9th Dec 2022

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 3

12:40 Cheltenham

Attacca

11st 6lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Justified favouritism with 1l success in novice hurdle at Kempton (2m, good to soft) last month, building on the promise of his sole bumper run; others have better form as things stand but he should have more to offer for top yard; an interesting prospect.

4/1

Form: 2-12 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 11st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 5yo who won comfortably on British debut at Taunton (2m3f, soft) last month, despite racing freely, and chased home a very good prospect at Sandown (2m, good to soft) a fortnight ago; ought to play a significant role here too.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

2

12th Nov 2023

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 3

14:50 Sandown

Iliko DOlivate

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Reportedly has to go right-handed and both wins have come in novice events at Taunton (soft/good to soft), latterly at the expense of Aurigny Mill (by 5l); may need further progress to defy this mark on handicap debut and chasing is on the agenda according to the trainer's recent Stable Tour.

4/1

1st

2

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

14:35 Taunton

Iliko DOlivate

11st 10lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Paul Nicholls

made all, increased tempo from 5th, kept on well from 2 out, readily

2/1

1

24th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 118y

Class 4

13:30 Newbury

Iliko DOlivate

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Could do with settling better but he's still shown a consistent level of form in Britain and his defeats when penalised have come at top tracks; looks sure to be involved once more.

2/1

66/1

Form: 4

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a well-connected dam and was left clear to make winning Irish point debut last March; beaten about 22l when fourth on bumper debut at Fontwell (2m1f, good to soft) three weeks ago; can only be watched here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Townhill

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Tom Lacey

Three wins last year, the third coming over C&D (good) in June, when making all; not in the same form since but he's now 1lb below that last winning mark and could bounce back for a yard that was among the winners at Aintree on Saturday.

15/2

6th

4

10th Apr 2025

Good

3m 2f 105y

Class 4

15:55 Newton Abbot

Townhill

11st 9lb

J: Mr Ben Sutton

T: Tom Lacey

prominent, lost position 3 out, weakened before 2 out

15/2

Form: 523-75

Last run: 115 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Made the frame in two heavy-ground bumpers in early part of last year and bettered low-key hurdle debut when keeping-on fifth at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in October; however, faces a very tough task here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

26th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 5f 137y

Class 4

13:42 Exeter

Marty Byrde

11st 2lb

J: Connor Brace

T: John Flint

Made the frame in two heavy-ground bumpers (one here) in early part of last year but has shown only minor promise over hurdles this season and needs to improve to pose a significant threat in this.

14/1

6th

7

18th Feb 2023

Good

2m 3f 58y

Class 2

13:20 Ascot

Marty Byrde

11st 2lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: John Flint

Made the frame in two heavy-ground bumpers in early part of last year and bettered low-key hurdle debut when keeping-on fifth at Chepstow (2m, good to soft) in October; however, faces a very tough task here.

50/1

Form: 46

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Third on Irish point debut in October and has shaped with promise in maiden hurdles this winter (2m3f/2m4f) but can't be recommended here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

The Big Reveal

11st 2lb

J: Joe Anderson

T: Grace Harris

Goes well here; unlucky not to win on his penultimate visit but made no mistake last time (this trip on soft) and likely to go well again despite the 6lb rise.

6/1

1st

12

13th Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:45 Chepstow

The Big Reveal

10st 3lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Grace Harris

Came good with ready win on seasonal debut at Lingfield (2m7f, good), despite jockey losing irons, and held clear lead before penultimate-fence fall over C&D (soft) last month; has to take a 6lb rise on the chin but still features prominently in calculations.

7/2

17

27th Jan 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:47 Chepstow

The Big Reveal

10st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Grace Harris

Came good with ready win on seasonal debut at Lingfield (2m7f, good) despite jockey losing irons on run-in; both subsequent runs were perfectly respectable but he needs to kick on again to land this prize.

12/1

Form: 231

Last run: 19 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Promising third behind two useful rivals on hurdling debut at Doncaster (2m3f, good) in December and probably didn't need to improve to win by 8l at Plumpton (2m4f, good to soft) last month; back in stronger company today but should still have a fair bit more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

9

9th May 2026

Good

3m 2f 0y

16:45 Killarney

Hermino AA

10st 5lb

J: Calum Hogan

T: E McNamara

Three wins over hurdles when trained in the UK and was Grade 3-placed; below that form in four chase starts for this yard and has to stage a revival.

25/1

6th

15

6th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

3m 0f 120y

17:40 Fairyhouse

Hermino AA

10st 11lb

J: Donagh Meyler

T: E McNamara

Three-time hurdles winner for Gary Moore; yet to get his head in front in six chase runs; soundly beaten both completed starts for this stable and pulled up on latest at Navan (3m, heavy); leap of faith required to back him here.

33/1

3

8th Feb 2026

Heavy

3m 0f 0y

16:20 Navan

Hermino AA

11st 13lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: E McNamara

Three hurdle wins in Britain at 2m4f-3m on softish ground; not so effective in three attempts chasing before joining this stable; need to step up now after unplaced runs in a Galway novice event and a handicap at Cork.

12/1

Form: 13-

Last run: 446 days

W: 11st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Won heavy-ground Newton Abbot bumper on debut in October 2021 and placed under penalty at Ayr (good to soft) the following month, but makes hurdling debut after long absence and in a hot race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

16:18 Lingfield

Knowwhentoholdem

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

Heavy defeats switched to chasing this term, with tongue tied last time and cheekpieces added today; that equipment hints at risks but his two runs over hurdles leading into that (about 2m4f in the mud) read pretty well, so he's given a second look on his return to this discipline.

9/1

2

31st Jan 2025

Soft

2m 3f 110y

Class 4

16:18 Lingfield

Knowwhentoholdem

12st 0lb

J: James Bowen

T: Neil Mulholland

in touch with leaders, weakened after 3 out, pulled up 2 out

9/1

6th

7

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:17 Ffos Las

Knowwhentoholdem

11st 9lb

J: Conor O’Farrell

T: Neil Mulholland

Came good over hurdles for Anthony Charlton at Newbury (2m4f, heavy) in March and also ran well for new stable later that month, but dropped out very tamely on chasing debut in October and needs first-time tongue-tie to aid his finishing effort here.

20/1

Non-runners

Hermino AA, Knowwhentoholdem

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £10.80
Straight Forecast £13.57
Trifecta £19.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Attacca

The Times:

Persian Time

WEST COUNTRY:

Springwell Bay

POSTDATA:

Iliko D'Olivate

RP Ratings:

Attacca

TOPSPEED:

Attacca

LAMBOURN:

Attacca

Telegraph:

Attacca

The Guardian:

Attacca

Daily Mail:

Attacca

The Sun:

Attacca

The Star:

Attacca

Daily Mirror:

Persian Time

Daily Record:

Persian Time

D Express:

Springwell Bay