13:50 Ascot

Friday 5 October 2018

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

Veolia Handicap

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 1m 26.79s

(4)

Game Player¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 86| D

9/2

Seems to have belatedly got the hang of things winning a novice contest at Lingfield followed by a Newmarket handicap, both over today's trip. 6lb higher now but clearly on the up so fully expecting another bold bid.

Form: 74-2711

(11)

Highlight Reel^h²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Cameron Noble⁽⁵⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 86| D

14/1

Seems to particularly enjoy the unique contours of Newmarket's July course where he won in August. Ran well again there next when third but then disappointed at Doncaster. Best form makes him capable off this mark and trainer in good form.

Form: 636137

(9)

Jawwaal^p²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Dane O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 85| D

12/1

Won back-to-back Lingfield (turf) and Kempton (AW) novice events in the Spring but not added to that since. Returned to 7f after a spell over 6f latest with a decent and very close fifth back on AW. Owner retained jockey prefers Manthoor.

Form: 119855

(3)

Mayyasah⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 85

33/1

Useful two-year-old who scored on debut but not added to that since. Three handicaps this term haven't seen her competitive at all. Had a break since latest eighth of nine and handicap falling rapidly but need to see glimpses.

Form: 162-738

(12)

Manthoor²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 85| BF| D

7/1

7f Lingfield (turf) maiden winner returned from a break with an excellent effort at Chelmsford (AW) over 1m where he was headed on the line. Drop to 7f should suit, retained jockey prefers to Jawwaal and trainer in great form so positives aplenty.

Form: 225-142

(6)

Lush Life¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: J A Osborne| OR: 84| BF| D

7/2

Won first two starts which were nine months apart, following up a 7f AW Kempton win with a 1m Chelmsford AW score. Made favourite for first turf start in a 1m Sandown handicap but effort petered out. Drop in trip will suit and is still unexposed.

Form: 1-14

(8)

Courtside¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 81| BF

4/1

Run three sound races since winning a 1m Chelmsford (AW) handicap in June. Equally adept on turf as latest second ay Yarmouth showed. Never ran at trip shorter than 1m so that a slight doubt and handicap continues to rise.

Form: 6-51342

(10)

Faraasah¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J Fanning| T: B J Meehan| OR: 75

20/1

Debut second on Newmarket's July Course (6f) remains the only effort of note he's managed. Two runs this season have been a last of 12 at Chelmsford and sixth of 13 at Newbury where he finished tamely. Hard to fancy.

Form: 2600-6

(5)

Ghalia Al Thumama^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁵⁾| T: C Allen| OR: 72| D

20/1

Off the mark latest in a 7½f Ffos Las novice event where she battled on well. Struggled the time before when last of five at Windsor in her only handicap start to date but should fare better this time off a 4lb lower mark.

Form: 26351

(2)

Kachumba⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: S De Sousa| T: Rae Guest| OR: 71| D

7/1

Had a fine season, winning four times (three at Brighton) all over 7f. Stepped up in class latest but not disgraced when fourth at Newmarket (July course). This a little easier and merits respect despite career high mark with champion jockey up.

Form: 139714

(1)

Heavenly Guest^t1¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: G G Margarson| OR: 70| BF

40/1

Showed some ability on two starts in 2018. Third of 11 on AW at Kempton first time out followed by a fourth of eight at Yarmouth after five months on the sidelines. Best may be yet to come but 1lb wrong for handicap debut.

Form: 48-34

Non-Runners

(7)

Lord Vetinari³⁵

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: Joshua Bryan

Forecasts

Lush Life (7/2), Courtside (4/1), Game Player (9/2), Kachumba (7/1), Manthoor (7/1), Jawwaal (12/1), Highlight Reel (14/1), Lord Vetinari (16/1), Faraasah (20/1), Ghalia Al Thumama (20/1), Mayyasah (33/1), Heavenly Guest (40/1)

Jim Crowley had three choices here as Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's retained jockey and plumped for MANTHOOR. This colt ran an excellent race on return latest at Chelmsford when worn down late over 1m. A drop to 7f should suit well and his trainer is now in flying form having had issues with his string in the Summer so he could very easily be well handicapped ads many are proving now the yard are back to form. Game Player is on a hat-trick and clearly an improving horse late in his three-year-old year while Kachumba has progressed well all season.