16:30 Ascot
Saturday 21 October 2017
All13:2514:0014:4015:1515:5016:30
Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By Qipco) (Str)
- 3YO plus | Class 2 | 1m | Soft | 20 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:39 | Winning time: 1m 45.91s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Running well in the main in competitive handicaps this season including when 2L fifth over 7f here on his penultimate outing. Interesting runner under top weight.
Winner of a valuable 1m handicap at Goodwood (soft) in August and ran well subsequently in a couple of Group 3 contests. Disappointed in the Cambridgeshire last time out but soft ground forecast today is in his favour.
Classy individual in 2015 including when Listed-placed and a winner over 7f here. Made a decent return to action over 7f here earlier this month and one to note upped in trip.
Followed up a placed effort in a Listed contest by winning a conditions event over 7f at Salisbury (soft) recently. Races off a career higher mark today and more needed if he's to defy a penalty today.
Highly tried at times this season including when fourth in a Group 2 event at Goodwood (1m, good) in August. Soft ground not certain to suit on his first handicap appearance since finishing runner-up at Haydock in April.
Winner of two of his last three starts including in a valuable contest over 7f on good-to-soft ground here earlier this month. Carries a penalty for that success and has stamina to prove today.
Handicap mark is falling following some modest efforts in recent starts including when beating just one rival home at Chester last time out. Well handicapped on his best form but others preferred today.
Just touched off in a Sandown (good-to-firm) handicap over this trip in July but held in two starts since and needs to return to form if he's to take this contest.
In decent form since being gelded last year and ran well to finish third over an extended 1m2f at York (good) last weekend. Unproven on soft ground and not certain to appreciate this drop in trip.
Completed a double when winning at Saint-Cloud in May and ran well to finish runner-up to Lord Glitters on debut for this yard here earlier this month. Races off a 4lb higher mark and one for the shortlist with the step u pin trip in his favour.
Running well in competitive contests over further this season and gained just reward when winning over an extended 1m2f at York (good) last weekend. Penalised for that latest success and blinkers worn on that occasion are retained today.
Bidding to complete a double following two wins over this trip in recent starts. Most recent of those came on good ground at York last week and he is likely to run well under a penalty today.
Held in three starts since joining this yard including in a Listed handicap over this trip at York (good-to-soft) in May. Unraced since and likely to struggle today.
Well held in two starts since winning over an extended 1m2f at York (good) in August. Drop in trip not certain to suit and others make more appeal.
Finished runner-up in a Listed contest at Sandown (good) over this trip on his most recent appearance a month ago. Some fair placed form in handicaps prior to that but likely to find a few too good today.
Bidding for a hat-trick following wins over this trip at Sandown (good) and last time out at Pontefract (soft). Soft ground forecast today should suit and is an interesting runner under a penalty.
Winner of his last two starts including by a head over this trip on the AW at Kempton earlier this month. Carries a penalty for that success and a career best will be required if he's to take this contest.
In good form during the summer but disappointed in a valuable 1m1f handicap at Newmarket (good-to-soft) last time out and is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time today.
Ran well to finish third in a highly competitive 7f handicap at Leopardstown (good) in September but has disappointed twice and looks up against it in this contest.
Fair effort despite finishing down the field at Goodwood (1m, soft) in August but well held at Newmarket subsequently and others make more appeal.
Forecasts
Lord Glitters (3/1), Zabeel Prince (4/1), The Grape Escape (13/2), Speculative Bid (8/1), Accidental Agent (12/1), Linguistic (12/1), Greenside (16/1), Qassem (16/1), Gm Hopkins (20/1), Dark Red (25/1), Oh This Is Us (25/1), George William (25/1), Withernsea (25/1), Gabrial (28/1), Master The World (28/1), White Lake (33/1), Firmament (33/1), Eddystone Rock (33/1), Brigliadoro (33/1), Hors De Combat (50/1)
LORD GLITTERS caught the eye when coming home a fast finishing second over 7f here earlier this month and the ex-French-trained gelding, already a winner twice over this trip in 2017 can take the concluding contest on this prestigious card. Zabeel Prince, a progressive individual chasing a four-timer for a leading yard is taken to claim second while Speculative Bid who has won here in the past and is likely to have improved for his return from a long absence can claim third ahead of recent course winner Accidental Agent and the three-year-old The Grape Escape.
- Lord Glitters
- Zabeel Prince
- Speculative Bid
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £155,625.002nd: £46,600.003rd: £23,300.004th: £11,650.005th: £5,825.006th: £2,925.00
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