16:10 Ascot

Friday 6 September 2019

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1016:4017:15

Lexicon Bracknell Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 1m 41.98s

(4)

Seniority¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: W J Haggas| OR: 101| BF| D

3/1

Won valuable Golden Mile at Goodwood last year, and best effort this term when an unlucky fourth to Beat Le Bon in that event last month. Shaped as if still in good form at Chelmsford recently, and shortlisted again.

Form: 482443

(2)

Don't Give Up⁵⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 99| BF

33/1

Looked progressive in the summer of 2017, when winning at Kempton and Windsor, and also won his first two races at Meydan last spring. Left Saeed Bin Suroor cheaply in January, however, and something to prove on return from absence for new yard.

Form: 175/112-

(7)

Chiefofchiefs^p¹⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: C Fellowes| OR: 98| D

16/1

Winner at Kempton in January and had little chance against Wissahickon at Lingfield in two subsequent AW runs. Not seen since flopping in the Spring Cup at Newbury in April, though, and entitled to need this run after a lengthy break.

Form: 47-1450

(3)

Zhui Feng¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 98| CD

8/1

Stable stalwart who hasn't won this year, but again ran well when ¾L third of 12 to Salute The Soldier at Goodwood last time. Former Hunt Cup winner over C&D, and shortlisted from his current mark, which is 2lb lower than for that landmark success.

Form: 059023

(5)

Bless Him^h¹²^{(ex 5)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 92| CD

4/1

Won the Britannia over C&D in 2017, and back to winning ways under a patient ride at Yarmouth last time. Best at a stiff mile, and a strong pace will play to his strengths.

Form: 7-74201

(1)

Dubai Legacy²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁵⁾| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 98

4/1

Best effort when third to impressive Beat Le Bon at Goodwood (7f) in May, and ran creditably when 4L third of 6 to Davydenko at Newmarket last time. More needed on that evidence, though.

Form: 01-1303

(6)

Lord North¹⁰⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 98| D

9/4

Won both starts in novice company, and although last of 8 in Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown on latest start, he had little go right there, and can't be judged on that running. Market will be revealing.

Form: 1-18

Forecasts

Lord North (9/4), Seniority (3/1), Bless Him (4/1), Dubai Legacy (4/1), Zhui Feng (8/1), Chiefofchiefs (16/1), Don't Give Up (33/1)

A cracking contest despite the smallish field, and that may play into the hands of former Hunt Cup winner ZHUI FENG, who is handicapped to win and may be able to dominate. Lord North and Seniority are entitled to respect, with the former a real dark horse making his handicap debut after a luckless run in Listed company when last seen. Bless Him enters the reckoning on his Yarmouth win, but isn't sure of the strong pace which would suit him ideally.