17:35 Royal Ascot

Friday 21 June 2019

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:35

Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 17:37 | Winning time: 2m 30.57s

(22)

Byron Flyer^v1²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: M Barzalona| T: Ian Williams| OR: 105| D

25/1

Rattled off a hat-trick towards the end of last year and came on for his reappearance when runner-up at Epsom last time. More needed in a race of this depth from a career high handicap mark though. First-time visor on.

Form: 3111-02

(14)

Ben Vrackie²⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 104| D

7/1

Bolted up on AW at Lingfield on third start. Hasn't won since but it was a fair effort in defeat in a competitive Newmarket handicap last time. Interesting contender but will need to have improved in the off-season.

Form: 212033-

(12)

Baghdad⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 104| CD

7/2

A winner of three of his last four including C&D win at this meeting last year. Well backed prior to Newmarket success last time. 4lb higher but that form looks solid and may do better if he can settle. Trainer has a good record in this race.

Form: 1/311-31

(5)

Pivoine^v³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 104

33/1

Won twice last year including a valuable York handicap. A bit out of his depth in Group class this time around and still 6lb above his last winning handicap mark.

Form: 610-664

(7)

Spark Plug^p⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: B J Meehan| OR: 103| D

33/1

Gained a Listed success towards the end of last year but has finished out of the places in six runs here and needs the ground rattling quick to be seen at his best.

Form: 2751-23

(1)

Secret Advisor⁶⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 103

12/1

Gained a first win since debut when winning the valuable Melrose handicap at York when last seen. Seasonal reappearance but that's no concern for one from this yard; drop in trip might not be ideal though.

Form: 122351/

(18)

Aquarium²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103

40/1

Creditable performer who won well at Chester two starts back. Got too far back at Epsom last time when last of 10 when the course was favouring front-runners but not without place claims given his consistent profile.

Form: 022810

(16)

Lethal Steps²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: G Elliott| OR: 102

33/1

A winner over hurdles at Sligo in April. Hasn't won on the Flat since his opening two runs for Ger Lyons; probably a shade vulnerable from this sort of handicap mark.

Form: 4/45040-

(20)

Lucius Tiberius³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: B Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 102

25/1

Won three races for Aidan O'Brien and improved form on his first start for this yard when only narrowly denied at York last time. Has shaped like a non-stayer on previous runs at this trip but not one to rule out if he can see it out.

Form: 004-452

(15)

Sevenna Star^t³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: G Mosse| T: J Ryan| OR: 102

100/1

Group 3 winner at Sandown last year but hasn't looked the same since finishing well beaten in last year's Derby. Needs soft ground to be seen at his best and hard to fancy having been tailed off on his last few starts, despite the drop in class.

Form: 11077-7

(17)

Top Tug³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: A King| OR: 101| D

20/1

Last win came over 1m6f at Goodwood back in 2017 and well beaten when out of his depth in a Group 3 last time out; probably needs some more relief from the handicapper.

Form: 50630-5

(4)

Arthurian Fame³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 100| D

14/1

Has improved markedly from three to four-years-old and stayed on well to make it two from two this season at Leopardstown last time out. 6lb higher but can't be ruled out in current mood.

Form: 0295-11

(2)

Collide^t³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: James McDonald| T: H Palmer| OR: 99| D

14/1

Won three of his six starts last year and impressive on reappearance at Kempton, winning despite over-racing in the early stages. Smart effort in defeat at York last time and a return to some more cut in the ground should suit.

Form: 1417-14

(3)

Downdraft^t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 99| D

28/1

Creditable sixth at this meeting last year and signed off 2018 with a handicap win at Naas. Didn't need to improve to win on reappearance but did it well and looked in need of a step back up in trip at the Curragh last time; each-way claims.

Form: 6571-19

(9)

Corgi³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: H Morrison| OR: 99

7/1

Won at Sandown last year before finishing runner-up in the C&D King George V. Respectable efforts in defeat since, including on reappearance at York when third in a competitive handicap (Fujaira Prince second). Live player if he comes on for that.

Form: 31226-3

(11)

Fujaira Prince³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 99| BF

4/1

Only narrowly denied in his bid for a four-time at York last time and that form has a solid look to it with re-opposing Corgi and Collide in behind. Won't mind a bit more cut in the ground here and less exposed than most.

Form: 2/11-12

(10)

Kasperenko^b²²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 98| D

20/1

Looks more effective on AW than turf but in good form at present and won a Listed race at Kempton last time out. Makes seasonal reappearance but can't be ruled out if he can build on that effort.

Form: 83/7171-

(8)

Johnny Drama³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 98

10/1

Unlucky not to get his head in front in a Naas maiden last year but has gained compensation with wins at Gowran and Roscommon, particularly impressive last time when winning by 7L. Certainly more on his plate here but open to improvement up in trip.

Form: 72-11

(6)

Temple Church²²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: H Morrison| OR: 98| D

66/1

Gained a second career win at Newbury in September. Form tailed off towards the end of the campaign though and seemingly wants genuine soft ground to be seen at his best; opposable on reappearance.

Form: 331860-

Non-Runners

(19)

Sea The Lion³⁰⁰

Weight: 9-8| Age: 8

T: J P Fahey J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Baghdad (7/2), Fujaira Prince (4/1), Ben Vrackie (7/1), Corgi (7/1), Johnny Drama (10/1), Secret Advisor (12/1), Collide (14/1), Arthurian Fame (14/1), Sea The Lion (14/1), Top Tug (20/1), Kasperenko (20/1), Byron Flyer (25/1), Lucius Tiberius (25/1), Downdraft (28/1), Lethal Steps (33/1), Spark Plug (33/1), Pivoine (33/1), Aquarium (40/1), Temple Church (66/1), Sevenna Star (100/1)

BAGHDAD won at this meeting last year over this trip and he was well backed prior to his Epsom success last time. He may be able to carry on that progression from 4lb higher given he's clearly progressive, winning four of his last five starts. A host of chances from the remainder but it might be worth following the handicap form from York that saw Fujaira Prince, Corgi and Collide all finish in the places last time with preference for the Fujaira Prince given his unexposed profile.