16:30 Ascot

Saturday 20 October 2018

All13:2514:0014:4015:1515:5016:30

Balmoral Handicap (Sponsored By Qipco) (Str)

Off time: 16:33 | Winning time: 1m 43.50s

(22)

Flaming Spear¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: R Winston| T: D K Ivory| OR: 110| D

14/1

Yet to place in five starts at this course but has run well in defeat on occasions. A 6lb rise for a Goodwood success made him vulnerable here last time out when fifth of 15 and needs a clear career best to land this.

Form: 80-5015

(3)

Hathal³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Spencer| T: J A Osborne| OR: 109| D

16/1

Hasn't won since a Group 3 success in 2016 but returned to form with a good second in Listed class here last time out. Feasibly handicapped and goes on this ground.

Form: 3334-62

(7)

Mjjack²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 109

20/1

Each of his last four wins have come over 7f on soft or heavy ground. Disappointed last time out from his career high mark and needs to prove he can be effective over this new trip.

Form: 8-51416

(21)

Circus Couture²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: J F Egan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 107| D

33/1

Performed with great credit when third of 30 at the Royal meeting here and proved he can be effective in this sort of ground at Haydock two starts back when placed. May need a bit of relief from the handicapper though.

Form: 537820

(8)

Sharja Bridge²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: R Varian| OR: 105| BF| D

8/1

Only has a maiden win to his name but has run well in a number of competitive handicaps since. His best form is with cut in the ground and ran well in defeat in the Cambridgeshire last time. Each-way claims.

Form: 12-2847

(2)

Mitchum Swagger²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 104| BF| D

11/1

Has fallen to a workable handicap mark and produced a big effort in the Lincoln at the start of the campaign. Beaten favourite at Haydock last time but a return to very testing ground could suit and that may have been a prep for this.

Form: 4150-36

(4)

Safe Voyage⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Sean Davis⁽⁵⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 103

9/1

Has won five of his last nine starts and bids for a hat-trick here after a game effort in a competitive Galway. Leading claims if he can settle better than he did that day, up just 4lb in the handicap.

Form: 2414-11

(9)

Aquarium⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| D

33/1

Very consistent in recent starts and ran a huge race at York last time having refused to settle in the early stages. 6lb rise demands more in what has to be considered a more competitive race.

Form: 083431

(15)

Escobar^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 102| D

33/1

Won at Haydock earlier in the campaign and has shaped like a well-handicapped horse in some of his runs since without winning. Probably wants faster ground than what he gets here.

Form: 287030

(11)

South Seas^p1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 102| BF

12/1

Winner of his first three career starts, the last of which came in a Group 3 at Sandown. That was over two years ago now but gave the impression his turn may be near again at Goodwood last time and first-time cheekpieces could see him improve.

Form: 746052

(20)

Raising Sand¹⁴^{(ex 6)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Nicola Currie⁽³⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 96| CD

6/1

Has two C&D wins to his name and very impressive when winning over 7f here last time out after a creditable effort in the Cambridgeshire the time before. Carries a penalty but worthy of plenty of respect.

Form: 070881

(5)

Via Via^b²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: J Tate| OR: 101

10/1

Has found some form in his last two starts, a creditable second at Newmarket before a fine effort back at that course in the Cambridgeshire. Up 2lb for that but can't be ruled out in current form.

Form: 645923

(16)

Tricorn^h²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 101| D

25/1

Yet to win this year but relatively lightly raced and some of his better efforts have come at this course. Has a bit to prove on this sort of ground and Dettori prefers Argentello.

Form: 7-83020

(17)

Another Batt⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Cameron Noble⁽⁵⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 104| D

66/1

Winner of a Turkish Group 3 last year and got a fine ride by the Champion Jockey to win at Chester earlier in the campaign but hasn't looked like a winner in waiting in two starts since and others likely better handicapped.

Form: 931709

(23)

Argentello⁴^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 98| D

9/2

Very lightly raced and has won four of his last five starts. Rates as the type to carry on progressing for this outfit and he's the first-string on jockey bookings.

Form: 311311

(10)

Waarif⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: C J McGovern⁽³⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

25/1

A winner of four of his last eight starts and not beaten far in a competitive race at York last time. Effective on this sort of ground and capable of running well.

Form: 414102

(13)

Humbert^p⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 99| D

25/1

In fine form on AW over the winter and replicated that on turf on his next three starts. Not seen at his best last time out but too keen and he has form on soft ground. Should run well.

Form: 222517

(18)

Kynren²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: T D Barron| OR: 99| BF| D

6/1

Has been in fine form throughout this campaign and his wins last year came on soft ground. Drop back in trip probably in his favour after a solid effort in the Cambridgeshire last time and he has leading claims here.

Form: 320326

(19)

Raydiance^p1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 102| C

50/1

Won twice as a juvenile including a Listed success here over 7f but hasn't been in the same form in four starts in 2018. May need relief from the handicapper and second string on jockey bookings.

Form: 11-2370

(12)

Zwayyan^b²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| BF| CD

14/1

C&D winner and well suited to some cut in the ground. One of his better efforts came here two starts ago when runner-up over C&D but disappointed a little in the Cambridgeshire last time.

Form: 253120

Forecasts

Argentello (9/2), Kynren (6/1), Raising Sand (6/1), Sharja Bridge (8/1), Safe Voyage (9/1), Via Via (10/1), Mitchum Swagger (11/1), South Seas (12/1), Flaming Spear (14/1), Zwayyan (14/1), Hathal (16/1), Mjjack (20/1), Waarif (25/1), Tricorn (25/1), Humbert (25/1), Escobar (33/1), Circus Couture (33/1), Aquarium (33/1), Raydiance (50/1), Another Batt (66/1)

RAISING SAND is a rock solid contender after his win here on similar ground last time and the step back up in trip won't be an issue given his previous course and distance form. Sharja Bridge has been in good form in recent times and shouldn't be far away after another respectable effort in the Cambridgeshire last time while first-time headgear may see South Seas to better effect.