15:55 Ascot

Friday 28 July 2017

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:2516:55

John Guest Handicap

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 2m 36.68s

(6)

Galapiat⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 104| D

8/1

Proved very well handicapped when arriving from France but found out a little upped in class subsequently. May appreciate the softer conditions he's ought to get here and handicap mark may not prove beyond him. Eye-catching jockey booking and each-way claims. Trainer won this last year.

Form: 3-11446

(7)

Appeared³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 104| CD

2/1

Improving with every start lately and finished an excellent runner-up at Royal Ascot, overcoming a wide draw. Softer ground looks like the main concern but 3lb rise for his Ascot effort looks fair and jockey has a fine record of over 36% when riding for this stable.

Form: 3193-12

(10)

King Bolete^p²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 102| CD

8/1

Excellent winner of a decent handicap at Windsor last time and runner-up has franked the form emphatically with a win in Listed company since. Likely to enjoy the extra ½f here and won't mind the softer conditions; gives the trainer a strong hand in the contest with Appeared also in the line up.

Form: 100-971

(4)

Red Galileo³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: David Egan⁽⁵⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 101

7/1

Broke a long losing run at Meydan in January but struggled in deeper races and no real suggestion he's well-handicapped. Gets the assistance of a useful 5lb claimer and has run well in softer conditions before so not without each-way possibilities.

Form: 35/1378

(2)

Seaport⁴⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: R Winston| T: S Durack| OR: 100| D

66/1

Winner in France back in 2015 and not disgraced in Group company subsequently but struggled when last seen and entitled to need this run after a significant period off the track and starting out for new yard.

Form: 31126/7-

(3)

Tawdeea^v²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

9/1

In excellent form last year but not returned in that kind of form this time around. Gets his optimum conditions here with soft ground over 1m4f and back below his last winning mark. Interesting runner if he can bounce back.

Form: 672405

(5)

Noble Gift²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: W J Knight| OR: 99| D

33/1

Multiple soft ground winner who has returned in the form of his life this year. Only 1lb above his highest winning mark and gets the assistance of a claimer well worth the 3lb he takes off in the saddle. Likely to go well again but can over-race on occasions and won't get away with that here.

Form: 63-6123

(9)

Fidaawy⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 98

8/1

Justified favouritism on return to action but disappointing last time out at Epsom and not the first time he's disappointed at a short enough price. Could bounce back and probably well-handicapped if he puts all together but looks a risky betting proposition.

Form: 4145-10

(8)

Saunter¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: D Menuisier| OR: 95

8/1

Promising start to his career in the UK, backing up a win at Goodwood with an easy Newmarket success. Not disgraced in Listed company towards the end of last year but struggled this time around and has to bounce back to form if he's to land this contest.

Form: 182-607

(1)

Sennockian Star⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 88| C| D

20/1

Consistent sort, remarkably having his 95th start at a relatively young age. Not much scope from this mark though and thoroughly exposed. Trainer won this last year.

Form: 655433

(11)

Gawdawpalin⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: M Dwyer| T: S Kirk| OR: 88

11/1

Won a Class 2 handicap off a mark of 75 last year and seemingly a little unlucky not to have to that effort. Looks vulnerable in a contest as deep as this and disappointing last time out.

Form: 52-2439

Forecasts

Appeared (2/1), Red Galileo (7/1), King Bolete (8/1), Saunter (8/1), Fidaawy (8/1), Galapiat (8/1), Tawdeea (9/1), Gawdawpalin (11/1), Sennockian Star (20/1), Noble Gift (33/1), Seaport (66/1)

Roger Varian seemingly holds the key to this contest with his runners King Bolete and APPEARED with slight preference going to the latter provided he takes to the softer conditions here. He was impressive at Royal Ascot and looks capable of capitalising on this mark. King Bolete shouldn't be dismissed and the form of his win last time out has been boosted since. Noble Gift is potentially best of the rest and his consistency may see him run a place.