John Smith's Stayers' Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 3m 34.89s

(3)

Mancini²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: J G Portman| OR: 91| BF| D

11/10

Just touched off over C&D penultimately and made favourite for marathon 2m4f Ascot Stakes on the back of that although could only manage seventh. Back over this trip he could easily make amends and is a leading candidate.

Form: 380-427

(7)

Makawee²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89| C

3/1

Only previous try beyond 1m4f saw her win on the bit at Wetherby (1m6f). Struggled in a Listed race over 1m4f latest but step up to this trip is very interesting and could bring about plenty of improvement so has to be considered.

Form: 1-21156

(6)

Michael's Mount^p¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: B A Curtis| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83| D

7/2

2m1f Pontefract winner two starts ago disappointed next on the AW but that takes his record to three unplaced on the surface so that can probably be forgotten now back on turf. Only 3lb higher than aforementioned win and is respected here.

Form: 13/8410

(4)

Flintrock⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 81

7/1

1m3½f winner last year but only made the frame once since. Has been gelded since his last run so perhaps that will unlock undiscovered potential. Overall his form is short of the required.

Form: 17-4630

(1)

The Resdev Way¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 64

20/1

Eight-time winner including over 1m6f at Yarmouth three starts ago but from 8lb out of the handicap today a career best is needed to make the frame.

Form: 644128

Non-Runners

(5)

My Reward²¹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 7

T: T D Easterby J: D Allan

(2)

Al Kout¹⁰

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: H Main J: David Egan

Forecasts

Mancini (11/10), Makawee (3/1), Michael's Mount (7/2), Al Kout (6/1), Flintrock (7/1), My Reward (10/1), The Resdev Way (20/1)

Perhaps MANCINI didn't stay 2m4f last time at Royal Ascot when a beaten favourite but his C&D second off just a 1lb higher mark penultimately is very appealing and he gets the vote now to go one better. Makawee trotted up in her first attempt over 1m6f, perhaps now going up another 2f will unlock further improvement so she is the most feared rival. Back on turf now Michael's Mount could very easily return to form so he too is respected.