15:35 Ascot

Saturday 7 October 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

totescoop6 Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 30.51s

(7)

Firmament²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: P Makin| T: D O'Meara| OR: 109

16/1

Great season last year, winning three times before finishing second in this race off a 3lb lower mark. Without a win this year but no respite from the handicapper due to his consistency and there to be shot at under top-weight.

Form: 565535

(5)

Johnny Barnes⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 108| D

12/1

Four-time winner who looked better than ever when scoring over 7f at Goodwood (good) in August. By no means disgraced over 6f on heavy ground at Haydock since and merits respect back over his optimum trip despite a rising mark.

Form: 743416

(17)

Speculative Bid⁷⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 108| BF| CD

33/1

A class act in 2015, completing a hat-trick when winning the Victoria Cup over C&D (14lb lower mark) before going close in a York Listed event. Subsequent 26 month absence is obviously a huge concern and market is the best guide.

Form: 111532/

(3)

Flaming Spear²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: R Winston| T: K A Ryan| OR: 107| D

9/1

No show on bottomless ground at Haydock last time but had earlier looked progressive when running out a convincing winner over 7f at York on good to soft ground. Rated 6lb higher now but has to be considered.

Form: 01-1918

(16)

Arcanada³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Patrick Pilley⁽⁵⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 105| D

20/1

Career-best effort when only overhauled late in a 1m handicap at York (good) on his return from a break in July but couldn't back that up in a Group 2 in Turkey last time. Remains feasibly-treated and clear each-way possibilities.

Form: 16-0428

(10)

Mitchum Swagger^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Ted Durcan| T: D R Lanigan| OR: 105| D

16/1

Ended a lengthy losing streak with a win in a 7f conditions event at Thirsk in August but had gone close in Group 3 events during the interim. Heavy ground against him at Haydock last time but current mark looks workable.

Form: 5-57415

(4)

Birchwood²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: G Mosse| T: R A Fahey| OR: 105| D

14/1

Won a Group 2 as a juvenile and a Listed event last year before losing his way slightly, though encouragement to be gleaned from good recent efforts in defeat in handicap company. Interesting jockey booking and current mark may not be beyond him.

Form: 6-86037

(6)

Burnt Sugar²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Declan McDonogh| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 103| D

14/1

Smart in his early days before losing his way, though clearly revised by a switch to this yard. Stayed on strongly to win an 18-runner handicap over 7f at Leopardstown (good) last time and not dismissed despite an 8lb rise.

Form: 060221

(12)

Makzeem⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 97| BF| D

7/1

Has really come of age during the second half of this season, finishing sixth of 27 over C&D before winning decisively at Newmarket (7f, good) recently. Due to go up 8lb for that, so 2lb 'well-in' under just a 6lb penalty. Obvious claims.

Form: 281261

(8)

Accidental Agent¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 104| D

16/1

Lightly-raced and much-improved recently, winning over 7f on the AW at Kempton before pushing Tarrabak close in a Newbury Listed event over 7f (good). Clearly going the right way but mark has shot up massively.

Form: 21-5712

(18)

Mojito⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 104| D

4/1

Likeable sort who just gets better and better, completing a hat-trick in fine style when scoring over 7f at York (good) last time out in July. Likely there is plenty more to come and obvious appeal despite a 9lb hike.

Form: 1-33111

(14)

Lord Glitters¹⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: M Harley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 102

20/1

Some smart form in his native France, winning twice over 1m2f last year before landing two 1m conditions events this year. Recently joined this yard ford €270,000 and has to be of interest, though 7f may be on the sharp side.

Form: 1254-11

(11)

Mutawathea^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Lewis Edmunds⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 101

33/1

Three time winner on synthetics, but despite proving himself as a useful performer is yet to break his duck on turf. Went close when beaten ¾L in a York handicap a few runs back but below that since and vulnerable to less exposed types.

Form: 966282

(15)

Straight Right⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 103| D

14/1

Successful three times in France last winter and encouraging signs since joining this yard, finishing a 3L third behind Johnny Barnes over 7f at Goodwood (good) latest. Stiffer track here should suit and respected considering yard won this in 2014.

Form: 143753

(9)

Withernsea⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Fran Berry| T: R A Fahey| OR: 99| BF| D

16/1

Real mud-lover who probably found 6f on the sharp side at Haydock last time but had been running well previously, finishing a 3L third behind Burn Sugar at Leopardstown. Has never won from a mark this high though and others look better handicapped.

Form: 003437

(2)

Amazour^p²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: S Donohoe| T: I Mohammed| OR: 99| D

40/1

Perked up by the introduction of cheekpieces to win at Doncaster last time over an extended 6f (good to soft) but was held off this sort of mark previously and suspicion remains that 7f stretches him. Others preferred.

Form: 403071

(13)

Mjjack²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 100| BF| D

6/1

Progressive sort who won twice over 7f in the mud earlier in the year and has more recently gone close in two big-field handicaps over C&D on good to soft ground. Mark is edging up but another bold bid anticipated.

Form: 711722

(1)

Raising Sand²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 98| C| D

16/1

Good strike-rate and looked better than ever when winning a Shergar Cup handicap over 1m here (good to soft) in August. Overcame a slow start to finish a staying on fourth over C&D latest and should again make presence felt.

Form: 7-P0614

Forecasts

Mojito (4/1), Mjjack (6/1), Makzeem (7/1), Flaming Spear (9/1), Johnny Barnes (12/1), Straight Right (14/1), Birchwood (14/1), Burnt Sugar (14/1), Accidental Agent (16/1), Raising Sand (16/1), Firmament (16/1), Withernsea (16/1), Mitchum Swagger (16/1), Lord Glitters (20/1), Arcanada (20/1), Speculative Bid (33/1), Mutawathea (33/1), Amazour (40/1)

Progressive three-year-old Mojito is the least exposed horse in this field but defying a 9lb hike won't be easy in such a competitive heat and the value may lie elsewhere. Preference is for Makzeem who holds obvious appeal under a 6lb penalty (due to go up 8lb) given the manner of his impressive victory at Newmarket last week and the fact that Roger Charlton's horses are in such scintillating form. Mijack, Straight Run and Raising Sand look viable alternatives at bigger prices, whilst any market move for Lord Glitters would be interesting.