Cheltenham winner makes hurdling debut and daughter of Justify bids to remain unbeaten - Friday's punting pointers

Punting pointers from each of today's race meetings . . .

Ascot: Cheltenham bumper winner makes hurdles debut

A bumper win in October by Block Rockin Beats provided Oliver Signy with his first Cheltenham winner, and the trainer sends the five-year-old to another major venue to make his hurdling debut in the 2m5½f maiden (1.20).

"He's a huge runner for us," said Signy. "We want to see how good he is, but he's schooling and working very well at home. If he carries his bumper form over to hurdles then he's got to be thereabouts. Ascot, with the hill like Cheltenham, should suit him, so we're very positive. 

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

"He's an exciting horse to have in the yard and hopefully running him at these proper tracks will give us an accurate reflection of his ability."

Signy also runs It's Top in the concluding 1m7½f Listed bumper (3.40), and he added: "His Chepstow form has been franked and if he gets his head in front turning in then I think he'll be hard to beat. It's exciting."

Ascot stat: trainer to note

Both of Nicky Henderson's representatives in the 2m1f novice handicap chase (1.55) since 2013 have won. He runs Iberico Lord here.

Iberico Lord13:55 Ascot

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Jky: Nico de Boinville Tnr: Nicky Henderson

Dundalk: Candy Girl catches the eye

Arguably the evening's most interesting runner in Ireland is Eyema Candy Girl in the mile apprentice rated race (5.45).

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

It speaks volumes that a trainer of Joseph O'Brien's standing has chosen to persevere with her, and she has the pedigree to make up into a capable performer being by Coolmore's Triple Crown winner Justify. A Group 1-winning Australian sprinter also features in her pedigree. 

Eyema Candy Girl's rivals have much more experience, however, and include four course-and-distance winners in Sayifyouwill, Proleek Prince, Daboya and Tribal Moon, while Black Storm, Perfect Judgement and Enough Already have obliged over different distances at the track.

Southwell: Sugar Hill Babe goes for hat-trick

Sugar Hill Babe has thrived since returning to Southwell and bids to complete a course-and-distance hat-trick in the feature 5f handicap (12.32). The four-year-old was second on her first three starts at this track and trip but struck on her seventh outing at the Nottinghamshire venue in October.

The daughter of Bungle Inthejungle is rated 8lb higher than when beating Paddy's Day by a length on that occasion, having confirmed the form with the same rival here last month.

Sugar Hill Babe has been responsible for nearly a third of her trainer Lisa Williamson's 13 victories this season, but takes on her toughest assignment on her first start in Class 3 company off a career-high mark of 78.

Her rivals include Bedford Flyer, who is rated 4lb lower than when scoring in a similar sort of race here in November 2022, and Ziggy's Missile, unbeaten in two starts at this track and trip.

Uttoxeter: Murphy bids for repeat

The 2m4f handicap chase (1.30) was won by subsequent Summer Plate scorer Sure Touch last year, and his trainer Olly Murphy is represented again by Clonakilty. 

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

Clonakilty's rivals include Flash In The Park, who has been upped 4lb for last month's course-and-distance victory, and Taras Halls, who makes his first handicap start over fences having finished fourth behind Caldwell Potter on his chasing debut.

Knockanore could benefit from being reunited with Daryl Jacob, who has won on the seven-year-old before 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 home Jasmin De Grugy, who was a completing a four-timer.

Uttoxeter stat: unbeaten stable record

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

Pats Dream14:05 Uttoxeter

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Jky: Henry Brooke Tnr: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Wolverhampton: Doughty a plus for Parramount

Parramount has won a bumper and three races over hurdles but has been campaigned on the all-weather more recently by Charlie Longsdon. 

That 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).

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

He attempts to follow up off a 4lb higher mark and with Doughty now claiming 3lb rather than the 5lb he did last month having surpassed 50 winners.

Parramount is Longsdon's only Flat winner from 15 runners this season, and the trainer said: "He seems to be enjoying it on the all-weather. If he runs the same race as last time he'll have his chance again. I never thought he'd cope around Wolverhampton, but he's produced a few good runs there now."

Read more on Friday's racing:

'He's improving all the time' - Double Powerful faces stiff competition as he bids for a seven-timer at Ascot  

'I think he's got a right squeak' - which trainer fancies his chances against Johnnywho in the Grade 2 novice chase at Ascot?   

Three things to note on Friday – Chris Cook takes a look at the day's action  

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