16:55 Ascot

Wednesday 2 May 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Manny Mercer Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:59 | Winning time: 1m 45.98s

(5)

Apex King^p1³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 86| C

20/1

He was an exciting prospect as a juvenile, particularly when winning a Listed race here (7f) but struggled throughout last year and a similar story so far this season. Dropped 5lb, and now wears first time cheek-pieces.

Form: 4/555-80

(2)

Berkshire Boy^b²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Watson⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 86

10/1

Took a 7f Chepstow handicap (good to soft) in September 2017, and races here from a 4lb higher mark. Beaten just 3L (fifth) on seasonal reappearance at Lingfield and has the latest Apprentice find in the saddle.

Form: 44717-5

(3)

Abareeq²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Oliver Stammers⁽⁷⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85| D

10/1

Yet to win on turf (0 from 10), but useful enough on synthetics between 1m and 1m4f. Beaten just a nose by Duke Of Bronte at Chelmsford (1m2f) on his most recent outing.

Form: 48073-2

(8)

Mountain Angel²¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 83

4/1

Has often filled the runner up berth since scoring in a Beverley maiden in May 2017 (7½f good), but ended the season with a solid fifth to subsequent Lincoln winner Addeybb in the Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (1m1f good to soft).

Form: 127225-

(15)

Mr Minerals^t1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 83| D

5/1

Not seen a great deal of racing (especially on turf), but has managed a couple of lesser AW victories at Wolverhampton (7f) and Kempton (1m). The handicapper perhaps just about has his measure. First time tongue-tie applied.

Form: 412-636

(1)

Sayem¹⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Mitch Godwin| T: E Walker| OR: 83| D

20/1

Progressed through the ranks last season, winning a pair of 1m Windsor handicaps (Class 4 & 5), but also showed she handles varying ground conditions. Stiffer task from a joint career high mark on seasonal reappearance.

Form: 611934-

(14)

Sir Titan¹⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Tyler Saunders⁽⁵⁾| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 82| D

14/1

Back fresh last season when winning a 7f Wolverhampton maiden in a ready manner (June 2017), progressing quickly to be beaten a head by Battered at Goodwood in August (7f soft). Form tailed off thereafter, but interesting off a winter break.

Form: 112007-

(16)

Saluti²⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Georgia Cox| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 81

25/1

Yet to really prove that he stays this trip, and stay he'll need to do, especially if the forecast rain arrives. 2lb higher than his last winning mark at Salisbury in July 2017 (7f soft).

Form: 2/10178-

(17)

Balmoral Castle²²²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: Patrick Pilley| T: J G Portman| OR: 80| CD

10/1

Ageing, and needs to prove that he can still compete following another winter break (last start in September 2017). However, sits on a very appealing mark nowadays, and returned fresh to take this race in style in 2016 (good to soft).

Form: 703008-

(11)

In The Red^b¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Milly Naseb⁽⁵⁾| T: Martin Smith| OR: 80| D

16/1

A Class 4 Goodwood success aside (7f good to firm), he struggled for the majority of the 2017 turf campaign, and it's also been a bit of a mixed bag on the AW during the winter months.

Form: 09-3718

(10)

Fire Tree^t,v1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Aled Beech⁽⁵⁾| T: C Fellowes| OR: 78| CD

25/1

Former Irish racer who initially thrived for the switch to this trainer, winning back-to-back races, including over C&D (good) in July 2017. Ended the season out of form, but just 1lb above his last winning mark if the visor can spark a revival.

Form: 11900-0

(13)

Glenn Coco¹³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jessica Cooley⁽⁷⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 77| BF| D

12/1

Goes handicapping on grass for the first time after making significant strides from September 2017 onward on the AW. A winner over both 7f (Wolverhampton) and 1m (Chelmsford), he needs to up his game even further from his current mark.

Form: 341213-

(9)

Sans Souci Bay⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 77

25/1

Picked up from Richard Hannon after winning a 7f seller at Leicester in October 2017, he's gradually slipped down the weights after some rather modest efforts. Better latest, but not a guaranteed miler and this looks too competitive.

Form: 8120-58

(4)

Gerry The Glover^p¹⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: L Carter| OR: 75| D

25/1

Not won since 2015 (1m), but largely consistent enough on the AW at Newcastle through the latter part of last summer. Moved on from Brian Ellison for £13,000 in November 2017. Stable debut.

Form: 324334-

(12)

Hemingway^p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Rob J Fitzpatrick⁽³⁾| T: J E Long| OR: 74

50/1

Left Kevin Ryan for just 4,000 gns in October 2017, and never figured on stable debut/seasonal reappearance at Brighton last week (7f good to firm). Couldn't be advised on his first attempt at this trip.

Form: 83058-7

(20)

Peace Terms¹⁰¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: E J Walsh| T: D Loughnane| OR: 73

33/1

Lightly raced for Ralph Beckett, with all three starts so far coming in AW maidens. Sold for 9,000 gns in February 2018, and kicks off her handicap/turf career for a new trainer, but in plenty deep enough.

Form: 32-4

(7)

Secret Return¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: Karen George| OR: 72| D

14/1

Raced only on the AW so far, winning at Lingfield in March (1m) by ½L from Accomplice. Tried over a longer trip next time (1m2f), but back to a stiff mile for her turf debut.

Form: 23-314

(18)

Love And Be Loved¹⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: William Cox⁽³⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 71| D

12/1

Blossomed last season, winning four low key races between 7f and 1m (mainly with cut). Upped in grade on seasonal return seeking a four-timer but she's going to need to be an ultra tough filly in order to make all against these much stronger rivals.

Form: 136111-

(19)

Professor⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: Shelley Birkett| T: W J Knight| OR: 69| C

25/1

Slipped steadily down the weights over the course of the past 12 months (rated 87 in May 2017), so is theoretically very well handicapped. However, couldn't be advised in his current form over a trip which will stretch his stamina reserves.

Form: 8360-96

Non-Runners

(6)

Pastime¹⁵

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: Miss Gay Kelleway J: Aaron Jones

Forecasts

Mountain Angel (4/1), Mr Minerals (5/1), Abareeq (10/1), Berkshire Boy (10/1), Balmoral Castle (10/1), Glenn Coco (12/1), Love And Be Loved (12/1), Secret Return (14/1), Sir Titan (14/1), In The Red (16/1), Pastime (16/1), Sayem (20/1), Apex King (20/1), Fire Tree (25/1), Professor (25/1), Sans Souci Bay (25/1), Saluti (25/1), Gerry The Glover (25/1), Peace Terms (33/1), Hemingway (50/1)

Numerically, by far and away the most sizeable field of the afternoon, therefore, it comes as no surprise this is a tricky race in which to find the winner. Apex King drops in the weights (and grade), but needs the application of cheek-pieces to have the desired impact, whilst 2016 winner Balmoral King is undeniably well handicapped if still retaining the desire for racing. The visored Fire Tree is another C&D winner who merits consideration at his very best (disappointing last back-end), whilst Sir Titan is an interesting angle to explore back off a break. However, MOUNTAIN ANGEL has solid form-lines with the thriving Addeybb, so he rates as the pick.