14:15 Ascot

Saturday 11 May 2019

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Les Ambassadeurs Casino Handicap

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 2m 37.12s

(6)

Now Children¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 97| BF| D

11/4

mpressive when bolting up at Goodwood in October, and more to his defeat at Doncaster than a 6lb rise, not settling and running well below form. Better judged on earlier form.

Form: 1/14210-

(4)

Setting Sail¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 96| D

6/4

Won over 1¼m at Goodwood on second 2-y-o start, but then absent until reappearing at Wolverhampton last month. Impressive in winning a 1½m novice there by 6L, and should progress again now handicapping.

Form: 21/1

(5)

Eddystone Rock¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Kieren Fox| T: J R Best| OR: 89| D

9/1

Ended a losing run when scoring over extended 1m3f at Leicester last month, and ran to a similar lever when 3¼L second of 12 to Soto Sizzler in Great Metropolitan Handicap at Epsom last time. Yet to place in four runs here, though.

Form: 464612

(3)

Blue Laureate²⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: Ian Williams| OR: 89

10/1

Stiff task in York's Melrose Stakes when last seen and had previously finished a good second to Berkshire Blue over C&D. Would be competitive if ready to reproduce that form after an absence.

Form: 007227-

(8)

Sextant²⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Louis Steward| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 89| BF| D

7/1

From a talented but quirky family, and an impressive winner at Newbury in August before going down narrowly in a match over C&D. Has scope to improve again this year, and gelding may help with his temperament.

Form: 212-

(1)

Boite⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: R Winston| T: W Greatrex| OR: 88

50/1

Smart hurdler at best, but disappointing in that sphere in January, and failed to jump fluently when beaten on chase debut in March. Something to prove back on the Flat.

Form: 300175/

(2)

Autumn War¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: C Hills| OR: 87

7/1

Won twice at up to 1¼m last summer, and caught the eye when a staying-on fourth of 14 to Fujaira Prince in a 1¼m handicap at Doncaster on his return.Worth a try at this trip, and not taken lightly.

Form: 3114-4

Non-Runners

(7)

Island Brave²²

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: H Main J: Charles Bishop

Forecasts

Setting Sail (6/4), Now Children (11/4), Sextant (7/1), Autumn War (7/1), Eddystone Rock (9/1), Blue Laureate (10/1), Island Brave (16/1), Boite (50/1)

With Sextant still having a little to prove in terms of temperament having been outfought in a match here last September, clear preference id for SETTING SAIL, who looked so good on his return from a long absence at Wolverhampton. Blue Laureate ran his best race when runner-up over C&D at last summer's Shergar Cup meeting, and he is respected on his return, assuming that he is ready to go.