Cheltenham winner makes hurdling debut and daughter of Justify bids to remain undefeated

“Punting pointers from each of today’s race meetings”. . .

Ascot: Exceptional Cheltenham winner makes hurdling debut

An exceptional victory in October by Block Rock Beats provided Oliver Signy with his first winner at Cheltenham, and the trainer is sending the five-year-old to another major venue to make his hurdling debut in the 2m5½f maiden (1.20).

“He’s a great runner for us,” Signy said. “We want to see how good he is, but he is at school and working very well at home. If he maintains his exceptional form over hurdles then he must be there. Ascot, with a hill like Cheltenham, should suit him, so we are very positive.

Block Rockin Beats: Won a bumper at Cheltenham in OctoberCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“He is an exciting horse to have in the stable and I hope that running him on these suitable tracks will give us an accurate reflection of his abilities.”

Signy also runs It’s great in final bumper 1m7½f Listed (3h40), and he added: “His form at Chepstow has been through the roof and if he puts his head forward I think he will be hard to beat. It’s exciting.”

Ascot Stat: Coach of note

Nicky Henderson’s two representatives in the 2m1f novice handicap race (1.55) since 2013 have won. He runs Iberian Lord here.

Jky: Nicolas de Boinville TNR: Nicky Henderson

Dundalk: Candy Girl attracts attention

The most interesting runner of the evening in Ireland is undoubtedly Eyema Candy Girl in the classified mile race for apprentices (5:45 a.m.).

The four-year-old made a winning debut over 6f at this track just 30 days ago, showing decent ability to defeat favorite Lady Pagasa.

It says a lot that a trainer of Joseph O’Brien’s level chose to persevere with her, and she has the pedigree to become a capable performer thanks to Coolmore’s Triple Crown winner, Justify. An Australian sprinter, Group 1 winner, also features in her pedigree.

Eyema Candy Girl’s rivals, however, have much more experience and include four course and distance winners in Sayifyouwill, Proleek Prince, Daboya and Tribal Moon, while Black Storm, Perfect Judgment and Enough Déjà have won at various distances on the track.

Southwell: Sugar Hill Babe attempts hat-trick

Sugar Hill Baby has thrived since returning to Southwell and is attempting to complete a course and distance hat-trick in the 5f handicap feature (12:32 p.m.). The four-year-old finished second in her first three starts at this track and trip, but struck out in her seventh outing at the Nottinghamshire venue in October.

The daughter of Bungle Inthejungle weighs 8lbs more than beating Paddy’s Day by a length on this occasion, having confirmed her form with the same rival here last month.

Sugar Hill Babe is responsible for nearly a third of her trainer Lisa Williamson’s 13 wins this season, but takes on her toughest assignment in her first Class 3 company start with a career-best 78 score.

Its rivals include Bedford Flyerwhich has a score 4 pounds lower than when scoring in a similar type of race here in November 2022, and Ziggy’s Missileundefeated in two starts at this track and this trip.

Uttoxeter: Murphy makes repeat offer

The 2m4f handicap chase race (1h30) was won by subsequent Summer Plate scorer Sure Touch last year, and his trainer Olly Murphy is again represented by Clonakilty.

The seven-year-old was stopped by Sean Bowen at Newton Abbot last time out, but the in-form jockey could have a better spin here as his mount won a maiden hurdle on his only previous start at this track.

Clonakilty’s rivals include Flash in the parkwho gained 4 pounds for last month’s course and distance victory, and Taras Roomswho is making his first handicap start over obstacles after finishing fourth behind Caldwell Potter on his pursuit debut.

Knockanore could benefit from reuniting with Daryl Jacob, who has already won on the seven-year-old and in the same Jane Bennett silks for trainer Ryan Potter on Jetoile in last year’s Old Roan. Knockanore’s mark is unchanged from last month when he chased down Jasmin De Grugy, who was completing a quadruple.

Uttoxeter Statistics: stable unbeaten record

Pats Dream has won both starts for Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero since joining Rose Dobbin and is attempting a hat-trick in the 3m novice handicap race (2.05).

Jky: Henry Brooke TNR: Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero

Wolverhampton: Doughty a plus for Parramount

Paramount won one bumper and three races over hurdles, but was campaigned all-time most recently by Charlie Longsdon.

The move paid off when the eight-year-old recorded his first success on the flat at the tenth attempt at Wolverhampton last month, and he returns to the same track and trip for the 1m6f handicap (7:00 a.m.).

Jack Doughty’s first booking saw the apprentice steer the half-brother of 2021 Becher Chase heroine Snow Leopardess to a three and three quarter victory under top weight.

He’s trying to follow a 4lb higher mark and Doughty is now claiming 3lb instead of the 5lb he made last month after surpassing 50 winners.

Parramount is the only winner of the Longsdon Flat out of 15 runners this season, and the trainer said: “He seems to enjoy it in all weathers. If he runs the same race as last time he will have his chance again “I never thought he would do well at Wolverhampton, but he’s had some good races there now.”

Read more about Friday’s races:

‘He’s improving all the time’ – Double Puissant faces stiff competition as he targets seventh time at Ascot

“I think he’s got a good grind” – what trainer fancies his chances against Johnnywho in the Grade 2 Novices’ Chase at Ascot?

Three things to note on Friday – Chris Cook looks back on the day’s action

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