17:20 Ascot
Saturday 29 July 2017
All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20
Canisbay Bloodstock Handicap
- 3YO plus  |  Class 3  |  1m 3f 211y  |  Soft (Soft in places)  |  14 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 17:21Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 2m 43.23s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Performance at Ayr last time was too poor to be true and it seemed as if something were amiss (though no explanation was offered to the stewards at the time). Holds strong claims if able to bounce back from that given his form so far this year.
Won on debut for Mark Johnston and has since run well in handicaps, but has already shown himself to be likely just short of the quality required in handicaps of this nature, particularly big-field affairs.
Ran well on his first start for almost two years at Kempton last time, and though this represents an entirely different challenge he's up only 1lb and wears a first time tongue strap, and is still capable of going well.
Below his best on his reappearance at Pontefract last month, and though he may have needed that run he'd have to return to his very best form from last year in order to prove competitive in this.
Good enough to win races of this quality on his day and has been acquitting himself well over hurdles recently, but others bring far more convincing form on the Flat to the equation here.
Dual-purpose performer making his first start under either code since April 2016 and his first on the Flat since October 2014. Not in the worst form over hurdles prior to that absence but more than entitled to need this first run back.
Has finished last of all and beaten 60L+ on his two starts for this trainer so far, and would have his work cut out here even going on his form prior to the change of yards.
Possibly short of the class required to win a handicap of this nature, but this trip will suit him well and his performance at Windsor earlier in the month was his best for some time.
Has won two of his last three races but will find this tougher, and was comprehensively outclassed in a better race at Epsom in between those two victories. Trip and ground should both be fine for him, though.
No win since May 2015 but has finished either second or third in half of his races since and is possibly a bit too high in the handicap to show his best, though he should handle the ground well.
Would have a chance on his best form, but is too inconsistent to give serious consideration to, especially given the improving profile of some of his younger rivals.
Winner on debut at Doncaster last time (1m4f, good to firm), despite having been sent off a relatively unfancied 14/1. Shaped as if there should be plenty of improvement to come there and looks on a fair mark for a handicap debut where he has the services of this top jockey for the first time.
Won as his odds suggested he should on his third attempt at a maiden at Chepstow last time. This is clearly another step up, and he hasn't progressed all that much between runs so far, but he is still respected.
Showed ability when trained by John Gosden but only moderate performances in two starts for this yard so far and plenty more needed now in a very competitive-looking race.
Non-Runners
6
(3)
Rydan15
Weight: 9-11|Â Â Age: 6
T: G & J Moore  J: Tim Clark
NR
14
(9)
Atkinson Grimshaw15
Weight: 8-12|Â Â Age: 3
T: A M Balding  J: David Probert
NR
Forecasts
Royal Associate (2/1), Dark Pearl (11/4), Atkinson Grimshaw (7/1), Mutadaffeq (8/1), Alcatraz (10/1), Niblawi (11/1), Zambeasy (12/1), Barwick (12/1), Spinners Ball (16/1), Rydan (16/1), Ravenous (20/1), Castlelyons (20/1), Gaelic Tiger (28/1), Zaidiyn (33/1), Calvinist (33/1), Shamrokh (50/1)
A few unexposed types in the field here, including ROYAL ASSOCIATE. An impressive winner of a Doncaster maiden on his only start so far, he shaped as if there should be plenty of improvement to come, and with Charlie Appleby having a great season and William Buick now in the saddle he has a great chance of retaining his unbeaten record here, off a mark that should be surmountable for him on handicap debut. He is taken to see off Atkinson Grimshaw, who has made a solid start to his handicap career so far with the possibility of more to come, and Mutadaffeq, whose run at Ayr last time was simply too poor to be true and can return to form here.
- Royal Associate
- Atkinson Grimshaw
- Mutadaffeq
Prize Money
1st: £9,704.002nd: £2,888.003rd: £1,443.004th: £722.00
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