Bet With Your Mobile At victorchandler.com Holloway's Hurdle (Grade 2 Limited Handicap)

2.55 Ascot
Bet With Your Mobile At victorchandler.com Holloway's Hurdle (Grade 2 Limited Handicap) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £22,804

Picks: Soldatino (win) & Lough Derg (each/way)

Lough Derg: Not been at best for a long time (last placed effort before his previous run at Newbury a year ago, in this very race); Well in off that and Long Walk Hurdle second last time out, and maybe worth giving a chance.

Walkon: Was one of top juvenile hurdlers before injury struck two years ago, winning 4 times in 6 starts, including a 13 lengths romp in the Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree after Triumph Hurdle second; Going to need the run badly after 660 days off but fascinating to see him return.

Soldatino: Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and won the Adoins and then Triumph Hurdle on his first two starts for Henderson yard; Looked sure to get further than that and should be running massive race on all known form.

Bygones Of Brid: Impressed as a novice hurdler in Scotland, relishing soft ground conditions when slamming Softly Spoken Guy by 9 lengths in Grade 2 at Kelso; Posted good effort in rescheduled Fighting Fifth but looked well below best when sixth here on Kempton’s AW track; Bad fall at same venue last time and can’t be backed with confidence.

Notus De La Tour: Made a good start to racing in Britain, bolting up at Plumpton in small race (beat useful sort into second) before being slammed in the Fred Winter by Sanctuaire; Not at best at Aintree but that can be forgiven and should go well for yard that has good record in this.

Shalone: Only beaten by Diamond Harry in first five starts over hurdles and in bumpers, and managed to beat the useful Tataniano as well; Aggravated injury when third in Reelkeel Hurdle last year and back to drawing board in fitness sense.

Frascati Park: Reliable front runner who holds plenty of graded form and has been back to something like his best when winning his last 2 starts, one here and the other at Leicester; Great racing weight here and has a decent chance.

Warne’s Way: Inconsistent but has won two of his last three, the last one by 14 lengths; Worrying that he was beaten in the best race of the three, although another headgear change and softer ground will help him.

Sophies Trophy: Was fit from Flat when bouncing back to form to beat awkward Numide at Leicester in November; Has a lot more on his plate here but young rider well worth claim and can’t be ruled out in race this open.

Sophie’s Trophy: Gave first solid effort since winning brace of Novice Hurdles in March when coming a well beaten second behind Mille Chief (received over a stone); Shouldn’t be ruled out rashly and will stay this trip.

Advisor: Was sent off only 8/1 for the Triumph Hurdle off the back of 2 very impressive wins in juvenile hurdles; Disappointed in that test (too tough for him) and on last start (Had been on the go, flat and jumps); Hasn’t recovered form since and needs leap of faith to be backing him here.

Tiger O’Toole: Won three times last season and was largely progressive until summer; Has had stiff tasks set on his last three starts though, shapes like he’ll stay and possibly on workable mark.

Sire Collonges: Extremely impressive when winning his first and only start and Auteuil by 5 lengths for Guy Cherel in April; Inexperience must be a concern, and the form of that race hasn’t been amazing since, but should be respected off a low weight nevertheless.

Lucaindubai: Largely progressive before November blowout at Cheltenham all to register hurdle wins at Newton Abbot and Ffos Las earlier in summer; Has work to do off this mark.

VERDICT: It’s surprising to see the Triumph winner SOLDATINO here but wherever he wants to be going he should be running a big race in this off 148. LOUGH DERG may be able to get his run of the race at an each/way price.