15:00 Ascot

Friday 26 July 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 35.53s

(4)

Crystal King³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 93| BF

5/2

1m2f winner at Leicester last year and 1m4f winner at Wolverhampton (AW) this year looks to still be improving based on his running on third over 1m5f at Ayr latest. Always looked a stayer in the making so 2m might be just what the doctor ordered.

Form: 601-103

(8)

Quloob⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 91

20/1

Three-time winner at up to 1m4f last season when he also showed 1m6f to suit well. Lost way latterly and again under-performed on return at Salisbury. Entitled to come on for that but others have less risk overall.

Form: 112/50-5

(3)

Sleeping Lion³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 90

5/1

Behind Crystal King on return at Wolverhampton and again latest when 10th at Ayr as that rival finished third. Handicap pull now but still would have to be considered unlikely he can turn the tables.

Form: 134-230

(1)

Blue Laureate⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 86

8/1

Lone win a 1m two-year-old maiden and although he threatened a few times last season he has yet to achieve the same level of form this year so must improve for a step up to 2m.

Form: 227-257

(6)

Piedita³⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 84| D

16/1

Won three of her first five starts over 2m between 2017 and 2018 before stopping quickly when last seen at Goodwood over 2m4½f last season. First race in 11 months here so market a guide but if back on song she has to respected.

Form: 112/610-

(2)

Knight Crusader²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Liam Jones| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 84| D

16/1

Barring an unexplained below-par effort penultimately he is very consistent and won at Sandown over 1m6f latest and has won over 2m also in the past. Faces less exposed rivals in this hotter contest but still should go well.

Form: 312271

(7)

Themaxwecan²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93

2/1

Winner of his first two career races and narrowly failed over 1m6½f at Doncaster earlier in the season. Hot contests the last twice have proved more difficult but well capable here and step up to 2m likely to be relished.

Form: 129285

(5)

October Storm²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M R Channon| OR: 76| D

11/1

Without a win since scoring over 2m at York (good) in September 2017; consistent on the whole and competes off the same mark as when finishing a close third to Handiwork (and the progressive Carnwennan) at Doncaster in April; player.

Form: 65-3655

Forecasts

Themaxwecan (2/1), Crystal King (5/2), Sleeping Lion (5/1), Blue Laureate (8/1), October Storm (11/1), Knight Crusader (16/1), Piedita (16/1), Quloob (20/1)

Sir Michael Stoute four-year-olds are often worth following and CRYSTAL KING looks sure to register at least one more win this campaign based on his sound third at Ayr latest which suggested this step up to 2m might bring about further improvement. Mark Johnston horses going up in trip are always to be feared and one senses the best of Themaxwecan is yet to be seen so he rates a big danger. Piedita has been off a long time but was too progressive when last seen to ignore.