15:55 Ascot

Saturday 9 September 2017

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0017:0517:40

Appletiser Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 2m 39.13s

(1)

Anythingtoday^p¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 99

16/1

On the upgrade this year and won back-to-back races with cut in the ground over the summer. Left his challenge too late at Goodwood last time but gives the impression he's not done improving and step up in trip could see him in an even better light.

Form: 421132

(8)

Speedo Boy¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P Makin| T: Ian Williams| OR: 98

16/1

Won twice last year including a Listed race in France but not returned at the same level this time around. Softer conditions may see him in a better light and not one to right off.

Form: 212677

(15)

First Nation³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: C Appleby| OR: 96

11/2

Has been running well in defeat this campaign and he ran well in soft conditions at Goodwood last time out. Yard in excellent form over the last fortnight and likely to be only a matter of time before this colt gets back in the winner's enclosure.

Form: 1-20224

(9)

Londinium¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94| BF| D

10/1

Impressive winner over this trip at the Goodwood Festival and not beaten far later that same week over 1m3f. Not at his best at York last time but likely to appreciate any rain that falls and each-way claims with more progress entirely possible.

Form: 1-23125

(3)

Seafarer¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Tyler Saunders⁽⁷⁾| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 93| D

10/1

Runner-up on first three starts this year and appreciated the step up in trip on fourth start when winning at Chepstow last time, keeping on in game fashion. This looks tougher but there's probably more to come and proven in the conditions.

Form: 14-2221

(12)

To Dibba¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Fran Berry| T: R Varian| OR: 91| BF

9/2

Won a soft ground maiden at Leicester earlier in the campaign and has been running to a consistent level since. Takes a significant step up in trip and raised 5lb for latest run but shapes like he wants more of a stamina test so should run well.

Form: 5-21232

(6)

Mister Belvedere³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: A Mullen| T: M Dods| OR: 87

50/1

Just one win to his name coming at Carlisle last season but slowly returning to form as the season has progressed and not beaten far at Doncaster last time. This is tougher but yard are in form and holds each-way claims.

Form: 2-65432

(4)

Mam'selle²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 87| D

14/1

Won three of her four starts and impressive when winning at Newbury over this trip in soft ground last time. Well on top at the finish that day and 7lb rise possibly lenient; the one to beat for trainer who won this with a three-year-old in 2015.

Form: 1511

(10)

Melting Dew^p1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: P J Dobbs| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 86

16/1

Won twice in eight starts but both those wins have come on the AW and his three starts with soft in the going description have been disappointing. Looks opposable in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1-13262

(2)

Bear Valley⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: R Ffrench| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 86

25/1

Won back-to-back races as a juvenile but has been largely disappointing this year and his best efforts have come on a sounder surface than what he will get here. Would appear to be down the order on jockey-bookings.

Form: 088378

(7)

Torcello¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

5/1

Has run creditably on all four starts in his career and won his last two outings, staying on gamely at Newmarket last time out after looking beat. Step up in trip ought to suit and more progress to come.

Form: 2311

(5)

Glenys The Menace¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: M Dwyer| T: J R Best| OR: 85| CD

12/1

C&D winner on Shergar cup day two starts back but disappointing at York last time out. Has been in fine form for the majority of the season so no surprise to see her bounce back here.

Form: 211210

(14)

Duke Of Bronte⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: B R Millman| OR: 84| D

16/1

Surprise maiden winner in April when a 100/1 shot and has performed with credit since, winning back at Newbury over this trip two starts back. Struggled a little at Sandown last time with the soft ground not looking ideal and may want faster ground.

Form: 015414

(11)

Rake's Progress²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: David Egan⁽³⁾| T: H Main| OR: 81

7/1

Has won twice this season, both runs in soft ground and ran well over C&D on Shergar Cup day last time when fourth behind Glenys The Menace. 3lb better off with that rival here and a useful 3lb claimer takes over.

Form: 1-13514

Non-Runners

(13)

Sea Fox⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: P D Evans J: S J Drowne

(16)

Cape Coast⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: C & M Johnston J: P J McDonald

Forecasts

To Dibba (9/2), Torcello (5/1), First Nation (11/2), Cape Coast (6/1), Rake's Progress (7/1), Londinium (10/1), Seafarer (10/1), Glenys The Menace (12/1), Mam'selle (14/1), Duke Of Bronte (16/1), Melting Dew (16/1), Speedo Boy (16/1), Anythingtoday (16/1), Bear Valley (25/1), Sea Fox (25/1), Mister Belvedere (50/1)

William Haggas won this two years ago and MAM'SELLE may be the one to side with in a competitive contest. The filly is less exposed than most in here and she looks capable of handling a hike in the weights. Torcello is another progressive sort arriving on a hat-trick bid but it's Londinium who may prove the main danger for last year's winning trainer.