13:45 Ascot

Saturday 13 July 2019

All13:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Betfred Heritage Handicap

Off time: 13:47 | Winning time: 58.92s

(4)

Muthmir^b⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 104| D

12/1

Multiple Group 2 winner in the past who usually performs well over C&D. Needed the run in the Dash at Epsom but was only eighth in group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown last week. Claims if replicating any of his old form but overlooked by Jim Crowley.

Form: 3300-58

(20)

Tis Marvellous^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 103| CD

9/2

Group 2 winner as a juvenile who excels at this track. Won the Shergar Cup Dash over C&D last season and bounced back to form this year when second in the Wokingham Stakes over 6f. Should be thereabouts.

Form: 00-4842

(5)

Marnie James^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 103| D

28/1

Specialist over this trip. Only a good third in 5f York handicap to show this season and has disappointed in last two starts, including in the Wokingham. Place claims if replicating York run but this looks a tough ask.

Form: 680300

(2)

Moyassar⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 107

14/1

looked to be a group race performer in waiting when landing 6f Newmarket handicap off top weight in May but flopped when 10th in Newbury Listed contest next time out. This could be his level and looks to be the owner's strongest chance.

Form: 232-810

(6)

Stone Of Destiny²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 100| D

9/1

Career-best effort came at this track when fourth in last year's Commonwealth Cup but hasn't been in the same form since. Well beaten 13th in the Wokingham on latest start and has never won on turf. Others preferred.

Form: 327080

(17)

Watchable^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: J Fanning| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

10/1

Veteran who usually performs with credit in these type of races. Winner of 6f Epsom handicap two starts ago before finishing midfield in the Wokingham at this track. Looks to be better over 6f and may be in grip of the handicapper now.

Form: 314110

(15)

Open Wide^b¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Charles Bishop| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 95| D

12/1

Hampered when midfield in the Dash at Epsom but relished the ease in class when winning 6f Windsor handicap on latest start. Raised 3lb for that effort and will need the run of the race to trouble the judge.

Form: 0-35701

(7)

Embour¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 95| D

14/1

Improving four-year-old who has thrived since being gelded, with Newbury victory and latest Windsor 6f handicap win the standout form. On a mark he can progress from and is 1-1 at this distance on turf. Solid claims.

Form: 131531

(11)

Koditime⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: C G Cox| OR: 93| D

16/1

Form tailed off towards the end of last season but returned with a good fifth of 19 at York (5f, good to firm) in May. However seems to run his best races fresh and can't be trusted to back up that run.

Form: 26900-5

(1)

Growl¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| C

12/1

Hasn't won since November 2016 but consistently runs well in defeat. Took a step in right direction when second in 6f York handicap in June and has been giving leniency by the handicapper, but likely to find some rivals too good.

Form: 0-08452

(9)

Fool For You¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: P J McDonald| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

16/1

Progressive last season but took her form to a new level when winning 5f Gosforth Park Cup on latest start. Another career best will be required and will need the rub of the green if she is to land a blow. Place claims.

Form: 13-6031

(14)

Gabrial The Saint¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: R Ffrench| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91| D

16/1

Looks to thrive around the tight track of Chester and most recently landed 5f handicap at that venue in late June. Is raised 4lb for that win however and usually performs better around a bend. Needs to improve.

Form: 0-99241

(8)

Harome⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Nicola Currie| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 85| BF| D

16/1

In good form in last two starts, landing 5f Ayr handicap before finishing a respectable second at that track a day later. Having third run this week and could be caught in good form, but performs better in small fields.

Form: 066612

(3)

Blue De Vega^p,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Watson| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 90| CD

16/1

C&D winner last summer who has been slightly inconsistent since. Grand effort to finish third in the Epsom Dash three starts ago but most recent midfield effort at Newcastle (5f) leaves plenty to find. Looks to be stable's second choice.

Form: 845349

(16)

Brian The Snail¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Josephine Gordon| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| D

22/1

Won off a career-low mark at Doncaster in May but failed to replicate that in two starts since, including when well-held fifth in 6f Newcastle handicap. 5f unlikely to be his trip and has poor course form. Opposable.

Form: 605165

(13)

Line Of Reason¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-8| J: L Morris| T: P T Midgley| OR: 89| D

14/1

Formerly useful performer but losing run is now mounting up. Shaped well when third of 19 at York (5f, good to firm) on most recent start and is well treated at the weights based on his C&D third last season. Each-way contender.

Form: 250063

(10)

Eeh Bah Gum¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Jamie Gormley| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| D

8/1

Progressive last season and has been running off a consistent mark this year. Including good fourths in Epsom Dash and Gosforth Park cup on most recent start. May be one ahead of the handicapper but more needed on this stiff 5f.

Form: 7-04844

(18)

Royal Birth^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-5| J: K T O'Neill| T: S C Williams| OR: 86| BF| CD

14/1

Seems to save his best races for AW surfaces and was a respectable second in 5f Chelmsford handicap in June. Races 14lb below last winning mark but last three runs on grass have resulted in heavy defeats.

Form: 585052

(19)

Machree⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: C P Hoban| T: D Carroll| OR: 86| D

33/1

Front-runner who posted a career-best when holding on to win Redcar handicap (5f, good to firm) on latest start. 6lb rise for that looked to be an overreaction and is now pitched into a tougher race. Likely to set the pace.

Form: 6151-91

Non-Runners

(12)

Jumira Bridge⁸

Weight: 8-11| Age: 5

T: R M H Cowell J: Kerrin McEvoy

Forecasts

Tis Marvellous (9/2), Eeh Bah Gum (8/1), Stone Of Destiny (9/1), Watchable (10/1), Open Wide (12/1), Muthmir (12/1), Growl (12/1), Jumira Bridge (12/1), Embour (14/1), Line Of Reason (14/1), Royal Birth (14/1), Moyassar (14/1), Harome (16/1), Blue De Vega (16/1), Fool For You (16/1), Gabrial The Saint (16/1), Koditime (16/1), Brian The Snail (22/1), Marnie James (28/1), Machree (33/1)

A race where a set of progressive horses will meet hardened handicappers, preference is for EMBOUR. The versatile four-year-old looks to have scope to land a big handicap sooner rather than later and the stiff 5f could be his optimum given his form between the minimum distance and 6f. His running style means he unlikely to encounter trouble too. Tis Marvellous' second in the Wokingham is a stand out bit of form and he seems to thrive on this ground at the Berkshire venue, while the admirable Line Of Reason could still have a big run left in him for an expert sprint trainer ahead of Moyassar, who could be a horse to watch for the future.