14:25 Ascot

Friday 5 October 2018

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

Mar-Key Group Classified Stakes (Str)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 1m 39.41s

(5)

Eljaddaaf¹⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 87

100/1

Eight time AW scorer has only ever run three times on turf; unplaced in each of them. Back to back wins in February saw mark rise rapidly and struggled since. Had a break now and this likely a pipe-opener for a Winter AW campaign.

Form: 174307

(6)

My Amigo^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Megan Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 86| BF

25/1

Raced mostly at 6f lately winning at Newmarket before an excellent third at The Curragh in a valuable handicap before not handling heavy ground in Ayr Bronze Cup. Placed three times over 1m so may stay but comes off badly at the weights.

Form: 546130

(9)

Repton²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon| OR: 89

40/1

Disappointing season overall since winning over 6f at Kempton (AW) back in March. Sandown second over 1m was a good effort but two lesser efforts since at Kempton (AW) and back at Sandown latest.

Form: 047267

(1)

Blue Mist²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 88| BF| D

9/4

Winning two-year-old returned from nine-month absence with excellent second to subsequent Cambridgeshire winner Wissahickon at Chelmsford and another second latest at Thirsk when odds-on. More to come and rated a leading player here.

Form: 123-22

(3)

Citron Major²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: N Tinkler| OR: 90

25/1

7f Newmarket (July Course) winner tackles 1m for the first time here. Shade disappointing in two races since that win but 1m could be suitable. One of five 90 rated three-year-olds so every chance at the weights if he stays.

Form: 105173

(11)

Enzemble¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: G Mosse| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 82| D

5/1

1m AW novice winner for David Elsworth makes first start for new yard here. Placed in two starts since over 1m2f and 1m3f so drop here a bit of a question mark and plenty to do as lowest rated runner.

Form: 72-123

(7)

George²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 90| D

10/1

Good form in the summer winning three times over 1m at Goodwood, Chelmsford and Salisbury. Since that he's managed a second at Sandown and fifth at Chelmsford despite higher mark so seems to be holding his form well and respected here.

Form: 451125

(10)

Kitaabaat⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 88| BF| D

8/1

1m Sandown winner at two where he beat useful Sevenna Star but just three races this term. Genuine promise in middle of those three when second over C&D but flopped next and absent since. Still unexposed and too soon to write him off.

Form: 421-625

(8)

Mushtaq¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

20/1

Dual winner this term at Nottingham and Windsor but struggled a little last twice since landing that double. Few doubts over form on all ground but fast so will be hoping it remains dry here but others more appealing.

Form: 321166

(4)

Ortiz⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: H Candy| OR: 90

9/2

Second at 66/1 to classy Agrotera in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot represents her best form and won latest over 7f at Kempton after a two-month absence. Return to 1m should be ideal and she has to be considered a leading contender here.

Form: 512-321

(2)

Ulshaw Bridge^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: J D Bethell| OR: 90| D

13/2

1m Doncaster winner in June was second over C&D next before slightly disappointing at York. Decent fourth over 7f at Doncaster when he couldn't quite get to the leaders was a better run and certainly capable here.

Form: 421294

Forecasts

Blue Mist (9/4), Ortiz (9/2), Enzemble (5/1), Ulshaw Bridge (13/2), Kitaabaat (8/1), George (10/1), Mushtaq (20/1), My Amigo (25/1), Citron Major (25/1), Repton (40/1), Eljaddaaf (100/1)

ORTIZ showed her potential when chasing home a Listed placed filly when second in the Sandringham and was most impressive on her first run since when winning over 7f at Kempton. A return to 1m should be ideal and she is worth chancing with the suspicion that there is more to come from her. Blue Mist is the main danger. This lightly raced three-year-old has been second in his two starts this season and is highly likely to have further improvement in him. There are five 90 rated three-year-olds in the line up and Ulshaw Bridge is another of these with realistic claims.