17:00 Ascot

Friday 8 September 2017

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:30

Weatherbys Handicap (Str)

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 1m 46.42s

(5)

Banksea⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: L M Cumani| OR: 104| D

6/1

Became a leading fancy for the Hunt Cup having landed Newbury's Spring Cup on his reappearance. That form worked out well and he should be seen to better effect in this less competitive field. Goes well fresh and stable in sparkling form.

Form: 0220-10

(6)

Sacred Act¹⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: M L W Bell| OR: 96| BF| D

8/1

Second to Lightning Spear in 2015 and best run since came when third at Newmarket five months ago when poorly drawn. The winner and second have gone well off higher marks since, so he looks a player on debut for yard. Rider 4-7 for stable in 2017.

Form: 592/1-93

(12)

Big Baz¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: D C Costello| T: W R Muir| OR: 96| D

9/1

Generally disappointing since a fruitful campaign in 2015 which including victory in two Listed events. Has faced some stiff tasks since but signs were evident last time that he would soon be finding his level. A 2lb drop in the weights helps.

Form: 8-09506

(10)

Emell^v¹⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Mitch Godwin⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 95

50/1

Has won just two of his 49 starts and none since April 2015. Recent efforts none-too-encouraging and looks to have far too much to do here.

Form: 587-908

(11)

Captain Cat¹⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 93| D

66/1

Winner of 6-37 but has only one success in his last 24 starts. Off the track six months and he would be a surprise winner of this.

Form: 90-5564

(3)

Secret Art²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: S De Sousa| T: W J Knight| OR: 92| BF| D

12/1

Winner of seven races who is suited by some give in the ground. Back down to his last winning mark and rider 13-43 for the stable.

Form: 010053

(9)

Leader Writer^p²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Fran Berry| T: H Spiller| OR: 92| D

10/1

Winner of three races in France and produced a notable effort when runner-up to My Dream Boat in a Listed race at Chantilly in 2015. Good third here on Shergar Cup day and rain would enhance his prospects.

Form: 59-6303

(8)

Truth Or Dare¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Ted Durcan| T: J D Bethell| OR: 91| D

9/1

His Goodwood victory a month ago was his first in four years. Beaten since off this mark in similar company and that leaves him hard to fancy.

Form: 432217

(4)

Eagle Creek¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 95| D

8/1

Landed a Lingfield AW maiden by a wide margin and hit hard by the handicapper as a result. Easy to back and comfortably held at Pontefract three weeks ago on first run back from a break. Needs to improve on that but yard are 4-15 in past fortnight.

Form: 5-192

(2)

Storm Ahead^p1³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Hayley Turner| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 88| D

12/1

Suited to give in the ground and requires a decent pace. Finished last at Goodwood a month ago and yet races off 2lb higher here. Cheekpieces are now employed by a trainer with a 4-14 record in the past fortnight.

Form: 24-8450

(7)

Afaak⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: David Probert| T: C Hills| OR: 92| BF| D

9/4

Son of the 1,000 Guineas winner Ghanaati who picked up races at Thirsk and Doncaster before finishing a fair seventh in the Britannia here at the Royal meeting when poorly drawn. Disappointing since but afforded a break and will handle the ground.

Form: 41174

Non-Runners

(1)

Knight Owl²⁷

Weight: 8-10| Age: 7

T: J R Fanshawe J: George Wood

Forecasts

Afaak (9/4), Banksea (6/1), Sacred Act (8/1), Eagle Creek (8/1), Big Baz (9/1), Truth Or Dare (9/1), Leader Writer (10/1), Storm Ahead (12/1), Secret Art (12/1), Knight Owl (12/1), Emell (50/1), Captain Cat (66/1)

Sacred Act and Secret Art represent significant trainer/jockey combinations in this competitive contest. The former goes well when fresh and is unpenalised for an excellent effort at Newmarket when finishing clear of the stands side group to finish third behind two horses who are rated significantly higher now. The impeccably bred Afaak has claims if putting a disappointing run lat time behind him. Spring Cup winner BANKSEA goes well after a break and he prepares for another crack at the Cambridgeshire by lining up for this following a poor run in the Hunt Cup. This looks more his level and with his yard in tremendous form he merits the pick.