16:45 Ascot

Saturday 6 October 2018

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

McGee Group Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 1m 2.67s

(7)

Evergate⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: G Mosse| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 93| D

5/1

Second in this race last year to Erissimus Maximus and ran over C&D the last three times with the middle of the three when second the best. Same mark as that here and only 1lb higher than last year so every reason to expect a bold bid once again.

Form: 032027

(5)

Royal Brave⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: R Ffrench| T: Rebecca Bastiman| OR: 92| D

20/1

Wins at Musselburgh (5f) and Ripon (6f) latest in last three starts so is in fine form. Career high mark to contend with but in the form to do so and every reason to expect him going well once again.

Form: 432151

(3)

Pettochside³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: J J Bridger| OR: 91| CD

10/1

12-time winner hasn't been at his best since a midsummer break. Won off this mark at Goodwood back in May so not totally dismissed but in current form others appeal a little more.

Form: 270605

(15)

Leo Minor¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 91| D

8/1

Only won once for this yard, at Newmarket in July but become very consistent overall. Running on second latest at Leicester after a break another fine effort and handicapper again raises him. Draw forces hand but claims if on the right side.

Form: 224172

(13)

Holmeswood^b⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: M Dods| OR: 89| D

9/2

Three-time winner last season hasn't added to that tally this time around and only placed once in nine starts. Not run badly the last three times and no doubt his handicap mark now is very workable so cause for optimism.

Form: 676384

(9)

Looks A Million³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: David Egan| T: J Tuite| OR: 87| D

25/1

Returned from a 96 day break latest when never involved 11th of 14 at Sandown and similarly uninspiring at Windsor before the absence. May strip fitter but huge improvement needed.

Form: 36-0280

(6)

Puds^h¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: R Havlin| T: C Hills| OR: 84| D

25/1

Made the running on return from a short break at Leicester last time before fading into seventh of 11 (Leo Minor second). Tends to front-run and should strip fitter this time but still a bit to find overall.

Form: 352147

(11)

Alaadel^t,v1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: M Harley| T: S C Williams| OR: 83

4/1

Developed into a useful performer late last season winning at Newbury after good runs here over 6f and 7f. Fair effort in second consolation Ayr Bronze Cup latest when seventh on heavy ground. All best form with cut in the ground so that the worry.

Form: 241-397

(4)

Only Spoofing⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 82| D

8/1

Irish raider landed a hat-trick up North earlier in the season over 5f. Huge rise in the handicaps not stopped him either as he showed when winning at Navan before another good run at Naas when third. Highly progressive and big player here.

Form: 574313

(14)

Erissimus Maximus^b²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Nicola Currie⁽³⁾| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 82| CD

10/1

Arrived here in good form when winning this last year but can't say the same now. Three thirds earlier in the year his best runs but run poorly the last twice after a break so hard to fancy now.

Form: 733660

(8)

Big Lachie²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 79| D

7/1

Good fourth here over 6f followed by a win at Doncaster last time, also over 6f. Every bit as good over 5f so drop back no issue and despite a 4lb rise he is one of the leading candidates after a really consistent season.

Form: 222241

Non-Runners

(10)

Open Wide²¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: Mrs A J Perrett J: R Winston

(12)

Nine Below Zero³⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: R M Beckett J: Harry Bentley

(2)

Mountain Peak¹⁴

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: E Walker J: Liam Keniry

(1)

Daschas²⁹

Weight: 8-8| Age: 4

T: S C Williams J: B A Curtis

Forecasts

Alaadel (4/1), Holmeswood (9/2), Evergate (5/1), Mountain Peak (6/1), Big Lachie (7/1), Only Spoofing (8/1), Leo Minor (8/1), Erissimus Maximus (10/1), Pettochside (10/1), Open Wide (10/1), Nine Below Zero (12/1), Daschas (14/1), Royal Brave (20/1), Puds (25/1), Looks A Million (25/1)

A really competitive dash to conclude the action and there are no shortage of solid candidates. The vote goes to Irish raider ONLY SPOOFING who has been profitable to follow when crossing the Irish Sea and after two more good efforts the last twice he remains one to be on the right side of. Also improving and profitable to follow has been Mountain Peak and this C&D winner showed this new career high mark was within his compass latest when second. Big Lachie is another who comes here in good form and he too looks sure to go well.