14:40 Ascot

Friday 7 September 2018

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:55

Victoria Racing Club Handicap

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 2m 35.79s

(2)

Manjaam^b¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Charles Bishop| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 93| CD

12/1

York winner (1m4f) ran shockers here and back at York next before stepping up to 2m (fifth here and 11th at York). Not the most consistent and recent evidence far from compelling.

Form: 610650

(8)

What A Welcome²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Joey Haynes| T: P R Chamings| OR: 91| D

15/8

Won six of his last seven races including latest when going beyond 1m4f for the first time at Newbury (1m5½f). Only up 4lb for that so his remarkable run may not yet be over and again rated a leading contender.

Form: 1-11141

(5)

Lustrous Light^t1⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: T P Queally| T: S Durack| OR: 90| D

50/1

Dual three-year-old winner for Ger Lyons wasn't able to add to that for Ralph Beckett and started out for this yard by being beaten 25L at Kempton (last of seven). Strip fitter now and tongue-tie added but hard to fancy.

Form: 07336-7

(1)

Emenem²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: S Dow| OR: 88

9/1

Four-time winner although yet to score this season. Steps up to 1m4f now for the first time but evidence not compelling that he will want it. Fourth at Chelmsford latest a slight improvement but others still more appealing.

Form: 297554

(3)

You're Hired¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 86

2/1

Things didn't go to plan last season (two races) but this three-time 2016 winner has shaped with great promise this season finishing second at Sandown (1m2f) and third at Brighton (1m4f). Expecting this stiff 1m4f to be ideal and big player here.

Form: 31/00-23

(6)

Pirate King⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Cosgrave| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 90| BF| D

10/1

Bolted up by 8L in a 1m4f Doncaster maiden and odds-on for 1m6f handicap debut at Newmarket but flopped finishing last of four. Return to this trip may see him in a better light and still an unexposed colt of potential.

Form: 8314

(4)

Bartholomeu Dias¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: C Hills| OR: 88

9/2

13L 1m1½f winner first time out hasn't added to that but running solidly of late in 1m4f handicaps including latest third at Kempton (AW). Handicapper gradually easing the burden.

Form: 155253

Non-Runners

(7)

Great Hall¹²

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: M Quinn J: Fran Berry

Forecasts

What A Welcome (15/8), You're Hired (2/1), Bartholomeu Dias (9/2), Emenem (9/1), Pirate King (10/1), Great Hall (10/1), Manjaam (12/1), Lustrous Light (50/1)

Few handicappers can boast a run to match WHAT A WELCOME and he can continue his incredible run here having only gone up 4lb for his Newbury win last time out. You're Hired is most feared of the rest and he could be ready to return to peak 2016 form now after two good runs this term. Pirate King was disappointing last time out but his Doncaster win was too good to ignore and he could easily bounce back.