November 04 / 12.55 Ascot

12.55

Soft

Grundon Waste Management Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £7736.66
  • 2m 3f 58y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
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Grundon Waste Management Conditional Jockeys’ Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Rain

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.00
  • Place: £3.30

Form: 47-812

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Came down the weights before winning at Fontwell (2m5f, good) in August and followed that with a creditable second at Plumpton (2m4f, good) in September, both under a claiming rider; has a bit more to prove back on much more testing ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

11

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Rebel Intentions

10st 12lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Annabelle Sowray

Two good runs over 3m1f at Catterick earlier in the season but form has gone cold; others preferred.

20/1

6th

4

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 5

16:30 Catterick

Rebel Intentions

11st 3lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Annabelle Sowray

Two good C&D placed efforts on good/good to soft in December/January; pulled up on testing ground here last time; better ground should suit.

9/1

4/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 321- D

Last run: 224 days

W: 11st 12lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Placed in two maiden hurdles on soft before winning one at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) in March; prevailed in a good scrap that day, with the front two drawing 21l clear; tongue tied today; could have good opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Feb 2024

Soft

2m 7f 98y

Class 1

15:10 Sandown

Ed Keeper

11st 9lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Improvement every time, finding the most when upped to 3m for an impressive handicap win at Newbury (good to soft; acts on soft) in December; may well have followed up at Cheltenham (3m, heavy) on New Year's Day but for blundering when travelling strongly at the final flight; 5lb rise rubs salt in the wounds but he could be a very useful prospect.

4/1

3rd

4

1st Jan 2024

Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 2

14:40 Cheltenham

Ed Keeper

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Improvement every time, finding the most when upped to 3m for an impressive win in 12-runner handicap at Newbury (good to soft; acts on soft) one month ago; 9lb higher today but he could be a very useful prospect.

11/4

1st

8

1st Dec 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

15:35 Newbury

Ed Keeper

10st 13lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

Placed in two maiden hurdles on soft before winning one at Bangor (2m3f, good to soft) in March, prevailing in a good scrap with the front two drawing 21l clear; 7-2, tongue tied when good second of 11 in novice handicap at Ascot (2m3f, soft) four weeks ago, always close up and front two clear; up 6lb but looks set for further progress and well worth a go at this trip.

9/2

2/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 22- BF

Last run: 261 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Runner-up in 2m novice hurdles at Sandown last December (soft) and this February (good to soft; tongue tied); had wind surgery before and after that latest start; early days and upped in trip, off what looks a competitive opening mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

25th Jan 2024

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

12:50 Huntingdon

Immortal

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

raced in second, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 7th

5/2

8th

8

22nd Dec 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 152y

Class 4

14:30 Ascot

Immortal

11st 3lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Beaten at 5-2, 10-11 and 13-8 on his three starts, and no match for the first two when third on last month's handicap debut here (2m3f, soft); however, he's in top hands and things may click in a big way at some point.

3/1

OUR TIP

Form: /32-11

Last run: 45 days

W: 12st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Second or third in all four bumpers (two on soft) and better when winning under 5lb claimer in novice hurdles at Hexham (2m, good to soft) in May and Kelso (2m5f, good) in September; impressive at 4-5 in the latter, so he's a promising sort making his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

20

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 149y

Class 1

13:20 Aintree

Idem

10st 9lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Another in this field who took in the Pertemps at Cheltenham, finishing a good fifth of 24 to Supremely West; should be competitive again but nothing in his record suggests he has enough in hand to win a race as hot as this.

25/1

5th

23

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 213y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Idem

10st 4lb

J: Patrick Wadge

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Never-dangerous tenth in this race last year; ran creditably on three of his four starts this season, second in the Musselburgh qualifier last time, but he's an exposed 8yo who needs to show something new.

50/1

16/1

Form: 71-153

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Struck form with two 2m handicap wins in the spring (soft/good to soft); didn't fire on hat-trick attempt in June but last month's third of seven at Stratford (2m2f) was creditable; needs better but this sort of trip looks worth the second attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

25th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 83y

Class 2

15:23 Cartmel

Lipa K

11st 9lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Best known for his heroics at Bangor but showed career-best form when winning narrowly at Warwick (3m1f, good) last month; 3lb rise demands even more from him here; usual cheekpieces left off; tongue-tie added.

11/2

1st

4

23rd Apr 2026

Good

3m 1f 5y

Class 3

14:30 Warwick

Lipa K

11st 5lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Goes particularly well at Bangor but was runner-up at Aintree on final run in October (3m, good); however, a 3lb rise sees him on a career-high mark and he's been off a good while.

4/1

9

26th Oct 2025

Good

3m 0f 149y

Class 3

12:40 Aintree

Lipa K

11st 5lb

J: Ben Smith

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Made it two wins from his last three starts when scoring at Bangor (2m7f, good) in September; however, his last four wins have come there and he was well beaten at Uttoxeter (2m7f, good) last time; has his first run here.

10/1

Form: 32221-

Last run: 209 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
No great progress over hurdles but he's proving dependable at about this trip on ground ranging from good to heavy and he won a maiden at Market Rasen in April when last seen; had wind surgery either side of that win; improvement needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Saladam

11st 3lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, not fluent 1st, lost position after 3 out, weakened after 2 out

10/1

4th

6

6th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 3y

Class 4

14:15 Fakenham

Saladam

11st 3lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Olly Murphy

prominent, not fluent 1st, lost position before 2 out

10/1

4

16th Apr 2025

Good

2m 3f 83y

Class 4

18:15 Ffos Las

Saladam

11st 5lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Olly Murphy

Had two wind ops on either side of winning a 2m4f maiden hurdle at Market Rasen in April 2023; lightly raced since and it wasn't his first scruffy jump when falling on chase debut in November; others safer.

8/1

Form: /23P2-

Last run: 231 days

W: 11st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Switched from bumpers to be placed in novice/maidens in three (one over C&D) of his four starts over hurdles, 24l clear of the third last time; the exception came when pulled up in a Class 2 race at Kempton on Boxing Day; some improvement is needed but there are probably no ground concerns and this step back up in trip should help on handicap/seasonal debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 7f 91y

Class 4

14:05 Newbury

Awaythelad

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

He's just 1lb higher than when winning at Southwell (3m, good to soft) last March; Ascot in November was a step back in the right direction but he was still below his best and this 9yo needs to raise his game today.

20/1

9

24th Oct 2025

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Cheltenham

Awaythelad

11st 8lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: Ben Pauling

Spoiled chance by jumping poorly on final appearance last season but won with considerable authority at Southwell (3m, good to soft) two starts ago and has good claims if able to repeat that performance.

14/1

4th

2

5th Apr 2025

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 4

14:15 Chepstow

Awaythelad

11st 10lb

J: Callum Pritchard

T: Ben Pauling

didn't jump well, disputed lead, lost position when slow jump 2nd, led before 8th, headed 8th, lost position after 4 out, soon weakened

6/4

Form: 2P-122 C

Last run: 154 days

W: 11st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Useful Flat form when fifth of nine in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot (2m5f, good to firm; 40-1) this June; won soft-ground bumper here in 2021 and 2m novice handicap hurdle this May; improvement is needed but the step back up in trip offers some hope.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

20:11 Worcester

Estacas

11st 9lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Well handicapped on old form for David Bridgwater but he returned for new yard after a mammoth absence with a well-held eighth at Stratford (2m2f, good) last month; shaped as though he needed that run but this looks a tough assignment against some improvers and he's probably best watched; cheekpieces (tried once in 2023) are reapplied.

20/1

8th

11

19th Apr 2026

Good

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

16:18 Stratford

Estacas

11st 10lb

J: Luke Scott

T: Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole

Well handicapped on old form for David Bridgwater but absent since two disappointing runs in November 2023; considered only if lively in the betting before this stable debut; had wind op in 2024.

14/1

Form: 111P

Last run: 36 days

W: 11st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Had a long career on the Flat before switching to hurdling this summer with wins in two 2m novice events at Southwell and a handicap at Cartmel (2m1f, soft); stayed well on the Flat but pulled up, seemingly not beaten by the trip, when trying 2m4f at Worcester five weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

8

1st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 171y

Class 4

14:30 Musselburgh

Young Merlin

11st 9lb

J: Benjamin Macey

T: Rebecca Menzies

Has several pieces of placed form (Flat/hurdles) for current yard but his losing sequence is mounting up; not the percentage call in this competitive affair.

16/1

2nd

9

(5)

23rd Oct 2025

Soft

2m 1f 208y

Class 5

15:00 Nottingham

Young Merlin

8st 11lb

J: David Allan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Runner-up on stable debut at Musselburgh (2m, good) in July and he's fine on testing ground; however, this 9yo has failed to threaten on his last two outings and needs something extra today.

12/1

5th

6

(5)

30th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:05 Ayr

Young Merlin

9st 10lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Rebecca Menzies

Won three Flat races at up to 1m7f when trained in France (including on heavy) and has since won three times over hurdles for Amy Murphy; good second on stable debut at Musselburgh in July (2m, good) but lesser run last time (2m1f, good to soft); each-way chance.

11/2

Form: 5/06-5

Last run: 187 days

W: 11st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Ran in a bumper, two maiden points and three maiden hurdles while in Ireland with Margaret Mullins, best efforts on the first and latest; brother to a 3m winner and this step back up in trip may well help after some promise last time, before bought for £10,000 in May; worth a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

20th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 100y

Class 5

15:00 Warwick

John W Creasy

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Dual chase winner on slow ground (2m/2m3f) but out of sorts last term and has a lot to prove.

14/1

5th

9

21st Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 177y

Class 5

18:42 Ffos Las

John W Creasy

10st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Dual chase winner on slow ground last season (2m/2m3f) but out of sorts this term and has a lot to prove.

40/1

Form: 348-33

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Useful form as Flat/AW winner at up to 2m1f, including on soft; 0-6 over hurdles, where he has yet to show the same ability; while last month's third of 12 in handicap at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) was narrowly his best form in this sphere, more is needed from him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd May 2026

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:41 Worcester

Prince Imperial

12st 0lb

J: Beau Morgan

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Won four of his first five for Olly Murphy (including a handicap off 12lb higher) but looks to have lost his way, having been pulled up on his last three starts.

100/1

5

5th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 2f 191y

Class 4

15:15 Haydock

Prince Imperial

11st 8lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Won four of his first five for Olly Murphy (including a handicap off 8lb higher) but he's yet to get going for this yard and was pulled up on his last two starts, latterly when 200-1 at Southwell one month ago.

100/1

1

2nd Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 88y

Class 4

15:52 Southwell

Prince Imperial

12st 0lb

J: Sean Grantham

T: Jake Thomas Coulson

Flat winner who won four handicap hurdles at around this trip on good/good to soft for Olly Murphy; below-par on both starts for new yard; bit to prove now.

40/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £78.70
Straight Forecast £71.50
Tricast £145.98
Trifecta £334.20

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Immortal

POSTDATA:

Ed Keeper

WEST COUNTRY:

Awaythelad

SPOTLIGHT:

Idem

Telegraph:

Young Merlin

The Guardian:

Ed Keeper

TOPSPEED:

Immortal

LAMBOURN:

Immortal

The Times:

Immortal

Daily Mail:

Immortal

Daily Mirror:

Immortal

The Sun:

Immortal

The Star:

Immortal

Daily Record:

Immortal

D Express:

Awaythelad