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Preview
28 July 2007
3.45 Ascot - Totesport.com
International Stakes Heritage handicap (Class 2) 7F Good
1 - Vortex - The straight
track could be riding better then expected today as another dry day
in the south east with a brisk wind starts to dry out the ground and
the Royal hunt cup 3rd from Gay Kelleway yard will be hoping that
the ground carries on drying out as he is in very good form at
present. Was never going as well in the Bunbury cup last time out as
he was ridden to maintain his position over 7F and given his Royal
Hunt cup run where he made smooth headway to stay on well a return
to a mile could well see him go close again. The Young Claimer does
well for the yard and helps to take some weight off, but expect to
see him staying on rather late. The yard should have some idea with
most of the runners on Ascot form of stable mate Fajr who has been
poorly handicapped by the handicapper.
2 - Wise Dennis - not seen
since the Royal Meeting when staying on from the rear but never
going the speed to reel in the winner and is well tied in on form
with the winner and 3rd on that running. Highly expected to carry on
progressing since hacking up in the Victoria Cup and hasn't been
disgraced but this is a very open race and the handicapper may have
one better handicapped then him at the moment. Has had much in
favour on all his last 3 runs and each time has ran with credit and
could have been counted as a little unlucky at York over 8F behind
Blytheknight, but the last run at Ascot he had every chance and it
looked that the handicapper had caught up with him with the 8lbs
higher mark then when impressive in soft conditions at this track.
The ground shouldn't be a problem for the horse and he is likely to
run his race again with the track clearly suiting.
3 - Intrepid Jack - Had it
all to do in the Bunbury Cup last time off a much higher then 12
months earlier and well held near the rear and it may have been a
case of a hard season catching up where he has been campaigned
towards many top handicaps so far this season. Benefited from being
well drawn in the Wokingham and a 4lbs penalty for that race may
have taken the toll on him last time. Yet to win this season,
despite running well over 6F and is starting to look hard to win
with at this level. The drying ground may be a concern at this level
of the current mark as the best efforts have been with cut in the
turf this season but he does handle better ground. Wouldn't surprise
me to see him go well again here and grab yet another place but this
is a tough race over 7F and he may be looking for 6F again to get
his head in front or back in the money and has to reverse the form.
4 - Racer Forever - Finished
well to go close in a bunch finish in the Bunbury Cup and is very
well matched with quite a few of those on that running as the
weights are the same for all bar the winner who has a penalty.
Suited to 7F on that running and made up for a average performance
at this track at the royal meeting behind Binanti where he never
picked up after being strongly asked the question. Will be suited to
a strong gallop and John Gosdon does very well at this track. A lb
lower then the Royal meeting isn't likely to make to much difference
with those who beat him that day, but he may have been fitter for
that run in the Bunbury Cup as he hadn't previously run since start
of May, where he ran a respectable 3rd on the Polly Track and should
go well in this race today.
5 - Ordnance Row - making a
claim for the horse of the season having ran with credit on all runs
this season including in the group 3 race at Epsom behind
Blytheknight over 9F, a day after having finished 3rd in a handicap
over the same trip. Suited to a mile this drop back in trip isn't
likely to be ideal as he looks to overcome yet another 3lbs penalty
this season and even though Richard Hannon is in flying form it is
likely that there is a better handicapped rival over this specialist
trip and it has to be said he had a lot in favour on the last 3 runs
with the ground having some ease in it and the drying conditions
today may see him slightly outpaced.
6 - Kings Caprice - A great
horse last term from the front and as game as anything running.
Handles stiff tracks such as this quite well having gone well
against the likes of All Ivory at this track in the past and even
though not as good this season as last as the handicapper has left
him with a impossible task on every run this season he will pick up
a race when given the ideal conditions and trip to bowl along in
front as he hasn't been disgraced. Could never get to the front last
time in the Wokingham and if he was to upset here with a 2lb lower
mark he would need to get to the front under his ideal jockey and
its unlikely he will be able to dictate this large field today.
7 - Steenburg - Has had one
run this season when well beaten in a group sprint at York behind
Amandeus Wolf and connections must now know that he cant live at the
top level anymore with yet another winter under his belt and makes
his belated handicap debut at the grand age of 8. Stays 7F on form
but his best form has come over 6F and its hard to see him being
well treated on handicap debut at this late stage in his career and
he is more of a watching brief from the higher part of the handicap
today.
8 - Mac Love - Caught the eye
over 7F at Haydock when tanking along behind the leaders to be all
dressed up with no where to go and then when he was unleashed into
the open he had a impossible task to reel in the already flown
winner and can be regarded as a little unlucky in that race against
listed class opponents. Hard to know where that leaves him in the
terms of being well handicapped as he was the clear horse to take
out of the race that day even though not highly expected to win that
race. Getting on now he handles better ground well over 7F and can
be discounted the Group 3 run last time on very soft conditions, where
he pulled hard before weakening out of contention at the furlong
post. Ran in handicaps in Dubai of higher marks and wasn't disgraced
and is one to consider for this even though there is potential
improvers in the field.
9 - Dabbers Ridge - last
year's winner was expected to go much better then he did in last
weeks Bunbury cup and may just keep his best running to this track
that clearly suits his style over 7F. Weakened out of contention
last time quite tamely and had to be considered disappointing as he
was always being niggled to get the trip. Badly drawn in the Victory
cup he struggled to really get into contention that day and was well
held. A pound lower then at the royal meeting where he finished 3rd
after setting the gallop and has place claims with the ground about
right for him but has question marks to answer in retaining this
race of a 3lbs higher mark this time around.
10 - Partners In Jazz -
Lightly raced since returning from injury after winning the Victoria
cup 12 months earlier and ran on in this years renewal, where he had
no chance with the winner Wise Dennis. Much better weighted with
that rival for this having dropped a lbs in the weight and likely to
go well again at his favourite track even though he was expected to
have ran much better at Sandown last time then he did. That race
held a royal ascot winner in who finished in front and he is 6lbs
better off at the weights with today. Paired with Mick Kinane for
this race today and has claims even though he has a lot to prove in
this tougher race then last time.
11 - King Of Argos - Seems to
not want to go past the winner in his last start and always held
despite making good headway to challenge and came out 2nd best in a
bunch finish in the bunbury cup. Has claims on that running as many
of those who contested that race runs in this and if it was as
simple as lbs to distance on that race then he would be the one to
take out of that race. Sent of a strongly backed favourite for the
Victoria cup he never picked up when asked on the underfoot
conditions and is clearly a better horse on top of the ground
running. Narrow winner at Goodwood, where he travelled so well in
and needs to be produced late to win and Frankie Dettori is very
good at getting that right at this track where he takes over from
Jamie Spencer. Has to be one of the leading players in this handicap
of the same mark as last time and the drying conditions suit and is
worth another chance at this track.
12 - Dhaular Dhar - most
probably the most eye-catching runner in the Bunbury Cup as he
surged home to be just denied and has been well placed on all his
starts this season and is currently on the top of his game. A winner
at Chester, where he had the Bunbury Cup winner behind him and was
unlucky to not have confirmed that running last time. Was expected
to go well at Catterick back in May and kept on all too late over 7F
of a moderate pace set by the winner. Tied in on form with a few of
them he will be suited to this stiffer track having won over 8F at
Chester a course he enjoys running at and has a turn of foot so a
strong pace that is likely will suit him and has to be involved in
the finish with the handicap mark still intact here.
13 - Giganticus - Winner of
the Bunbury cup for the stable that won this race last year and was
given a well timed run by Philip Robinson at The July course to beat
several of these, given a 3lbs penalty for that win leaves him tied
in to go quite well gain and Richard Hills is given the tactical
ride for today on this talented yet quirky horse. Chester running
may be able to discount on as he is much suited to a galloping stiff
track rather then a sharp turning track and didn't show the tail
swish last time as he had previous shown earlier on in the season,
seems to enjoy the thought of racing at last and will be of interest
if in the same mood this time around. Tough handicap this is and he
may find one of the others wiser to him this time around as he was a
bit of a shock winner of the bunbury cup even though not totally
un-fancied. The chester runs he was fancied to give a better showing
in and its clear today's track will suit him much better.
14 - Burning Incense - Didn't
go well last time at Windsor on soft ground over 6F as he was pushed
along early to get into contention and wasn't beaten far despite
never really going like a winner. Caught the eye late on in the
Wokingham having worked his way over from a poor draw and was
staying on to good effect. The form of the Wokingham was carried
into the Bunbury cup and didn't stand up to well but he has claims
over this 7F as he could have been rated one of the best horses out
of the race. The drying ground should help his cause even though he
wont want it to fast and he is a interesting runner in this race for
Richard Hughes and Roger Charlton.
15 - Binanti - Survived the
steward's room after winning at Ascot at the 7th time of asking and
had a few of these in behind in what was a messy race on the Friday
of the Royal Meeting. Had previously showed he was coming right when
clear cut 2nd at Sandown in front on Partners In Jazz, where he
stayed on well from off the pace to finish 2nd even though no chance
with the winner who had flown by the time he got going and with a
good running the time before at Goodwood he wasn't as big a surprise
winner as many though. 5lbs higher now he may struggle to confirm
form with last year's winner Dabbers ridge who he meets 6lbs wrong,
but has been kept back with this in mind since the Royal meeting and
once again should run his race even though he isn't the type to win
back to back races as he finds very little when challenged by his
jock to go and win the race.
16 - Uhoomagoo - Finished 2nd
in this race last term and time looks to be catching up with him
having failed to show any real form this season. The run at the
royal meeting can be discounted as he was badly hampered before
swerving right, where his jockey gathered him up and held him
together without ever trying to get back into the race as by this
time the race was over from his point of view. If getting the gaps
and returning to old form he has to have a very good chance at
winning this handicap today over his favoured 7F as the 9F
previously at Epsom when finishing behind Ordnance was a little
further then he would have liked and wasn't disgraced.
17 - Trafalgar Bay - Never
really got going at York on heavy ground which is hard to make
ground up on after being slowly away and can be discounted his run
at the Royal meeting behind Binanti as he was another to have been
badly hampered and not able to recover. Taking it back to his 6F run
at Head quarters behind Commando Scott he has claims despite the
2lbs rise as he stuck on well that day suggesting a return to 7F
would be ideal for him with the previous run over 6F behind Zidane
at this track under soft conditions once again proved that he needed
further as he stayed on from the rear to finish closest at the
finish. Better ground is no problems and he handles this track well
he is a interesting runner in this handicap and could well surprise
at a big price.
18 - Fares - Always be wary
of Clive Brittan and his fares has a tough ask today for a 3yo
taking on older handicappers having flopped at both the Royal
meeting and the July meeting so far this season. Doesn't look well
handicapped despite the weight for age allowance and looks like he
is another that may struggle from the high wins as a 2yo being not
good enough to win pattern class races as a 3yo.
19 - Ingleby Arch - Has been
fancied on quite a few runs this season including when well beaten
behind Binanti at the Royal meeting over this 7F track. Was going
into that race a little disappointing that he didn't make Machinist
work harder at Hamilton over his favoured 6F on a stiff track after
taking a slight lead to stay on at the one pace in the final 3rd.
Finished behind Trafalgar Bay at Newmarket over 6F, where he stayed
on to never threatened and was outpaced at York and at Hamilton over
6F on his other two runs, where he stayed on to claim respectable
positions. Hard to know what trip will suit him best and looks to be
a bit regressive compared to his 3yo form.
20 - Phluke - be amazed if he
was to prove good enough to win a Cavalary charge today despite
tying in some useful form with some leading players in this
handicap. However he was given the run of the race when winning at
Catterick, where Zomerlust who is a good 6F horse was the one to
charge at him of a moderate pace and it is highly unlikely that this
1lb higher mark will see him confirming that form in a race that
isn't likely to suit especially after some lack lusted performances
since.
21- Game Lad - Shot to the
front under heavy conditions at Newcastle two runs ago, where he
bolted up in good style and clearly needs those kinds of conditions
to be at his best. Not given a chance next time off an 8lbs higher
mark and it looks like the handicapper has taken no chances with him
of the back of that run. The drying ground has to be concern as
given the current mark and good racing ground may just be a shade to
quick for him as he was expected to run better then he did at
Newmarket 3 runs back.
22 - Mujood - Well beaten
last time at Warwick, where he was never travelling and may have
found those conditions underfoot to tough for his liking. The
blinkers are back on today, which should help, but he has been given
no help from the handicapper today as he returns of the same mark.
Looked well handicapped on the Polly Track for when he ran over 7F
there and pressed the lead before staying on at the one pace and his
trainer may be running out of ideas for him as he is a shade below
his current Turf rating.
23 - Royal Storm - Ran twice
at the Royal meeting and dropping in the handicap as a result of
some tame efforts. Hasn't been at his best for some time now and
really should struggle again in the handicap despite dropping 8lb
from the run behind Binanti at the Royal Meeting. Couldn't make
light work of a 14lbs lower mark on the All weather last time, where
he was hard ridden to make a challenge and only could muster the one
pace and looks to need a confident booster which would be a big
surprise in this handicap today.
24 - Third Set - Won well
last time at Newmarket over a furlong further then today's trip and
should enjoy the drying ground today having flopped at the Royal
meeting with give in the ground. The time before at Sailsbury was a
messy race, where he meet trouble in running before catching the eye
with a strong finish to come 2nd in a lower class sprint handicap
which has worked out very well indeed and could still be well
handicapped under this penalty today for Roger Charlton and Jimmy
Quinn who takes over from Steve Drowne today who has gone to
Newmarket to ride a horse that finished behind something special at
the July meeting. Well beaten on Soft ground over 6F here behind
Zidane that can be discounted as he needs it quick and is lightly
weighted with a potential to go well over this 7F for a double
handed trainer.
25 - Dingaan - Andrew Balding
is a trainer to stay on the right side of at Ascot as he picks up
good prize money at this track at the lower class of races mainly
and his Goodwood scorer over 6F should be suited to the strong pace
today having seen him finish well with a good turn of foot. Hard to
get right as he is always slow away and if losing to much ground he
will find it hard to win from the rear. However he is a talented
horse and should be kept to backing in running, as he needs to come
from last to first as showing at Goodwood when taking off in the
final 3rd of the race to claim a win on the line. Drying ground
suits and the visor may work the trick.
26 - Malcheek - dropped 2lbs
after a serious of average recent efforts and hard to fancy at this
level in a big open field such as this. Closely matched on Catterick
form with a few of these but had the run of the race and was seen
off in a bunch finish quite comfortably. Well held at Chester and
Ascot on last two running over 7F and was never closer then he
finished in the Victoria Cup. While others have gone up in the
weights he remains on the same mark but this doesn't look his kind
of race and if on a straight undulating track like Thirsk he would
have strong claims in a field like this but not today.
27 - South Cape - beaten by
Third set last time and ran on at the one pace at the Royal Meeting.
Finally got his head back in front the time before at Folkestone and
was going into the royal race on top of his game. The rise in the
weights from the handicapper and better class of opponents may have
had his measure that day and was hampered when beaten last time at
Newmarket. Off the same mark as at the royal meeting he is entitled
to run his race today but may have to settle for a place at best
today even though the Royal race could be turned right on its head
today with improving conditions and a chance that others may have
better luck this time around.
28 - Gallantry - Very one
paced over 8F last time on the Polly Track in a decent looking race
and had quite a bit in favour for that race that had some nice types
in. Back in handicap today and up in class back to the level where
he ran so well at Chester and should give a good showing despite the
3lbs higher mark. Handicapped to go well and likely to be better
away today then when given no chance behind South Cape at
Folkestone. A low weight very much suits with a strong pace likely
while the 3lbs claimer takes him to a very low weight today. Needs
to step up against top handicappers but could easily grab a place at
a big price today as a lot is in his favour today.
29 - Regal Parade - Started
the season well in a handicap on 1000 Guineas day, where he was
entitled to go well against same age group and then found life tough
of a 7lb higher mark next time out. The Britannia Stakes race was
maybe a little to tough for him and its seems that Mark Johnston can
only see him winning races with the weight allowances that he
receives today to give him a low weight against elder horses for the
first time. The trainer knows what he is doing when it comes to
Ascot handicaps and he must have seen something with this horse last
time at Ascot to give him such a tough ask today and he remains
interesting at the foot of the weights for a trainer that trains
them to be tough.
Tissue Prices - King Of Argos 7/1, Racer Forever 9/1,
Giganticus, Dhaular Dhar, Wise Dennis, Burning Incense 10/1, Third
Set, Mac Love 12/1, Vortex, Gallantry, Ordnance Row, Binanti 14/1,
South Cape, Dabbers ridge, Partners in jazz, Intrepid Jack 16/1,
Ingleby Arch 18/1, Dingaan, Regal Parade, Trafalgar bay 20/1, Phluke
22/1, Malcheek, Game lad, Uhoomagoo 25/1, King Caprice 28/1, Fares,
Steenburg 33/1, Royal Storm 100/1
Verdict – Hard
to find a standout bet in this race, as the form is so strongly tied
up between most of them. With Roger Charlton, Barry Hills and David
Barron all double handed in this handicap, it could be a case of one
of these top trainers having the race laid out for types they do
well with. The Roger Charlton pair are both of interest here and
Burning Incense was an eye catcher in the Wokingham and with the 7F
likely to suit, is one I am quite keen on. Third Set is another who
could go very well for the trainer, while the Bunbury Cup form may
point towards King of Argos and Dhular Dhar coming out on top. Racer
Forever is improving with each run this season and could well turn
the Ascot running around with Binanti, Dabbers Ridge and Wise
Dennis, who is expected to go well again.While you never can totally
discount Partners In Jazz. Mac Love against the Rail may go well for
the older runners in this race.
Selection –
Burning Incense
1pt win @ 20-1 (BF27-1) & Racer Forever
1pt win @ 14-1 (BF15-1) & King of Argos
1pt win @ 9-1 (BF9-1).
Well Chief
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