16:40 Ascot

Friday 6 September 2019

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

Sodexo Handicap

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 1m 14.05s

(17)

Equitation^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Marco Ghiani⁽⁷⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 87| BF| D

7/1

Winner over 6f at Windsor in May, and has run well in defeat since, again doing his best work at the finish when ¾L fourth of 11 to Han Solo Berger at Newmarket last time. One to bear in mind from a draw next to the stands rail.

Form: 812264

(10)

Miracle of Medinah¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Ellie Mackenzie⁽⁷⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 85| D

20/1

Former Group 3 winner who showed signs of a return to form when a staying-on second of nine at Newbury (6f) in May. Not really gone on from that, though, and remains easy enough to oppose for win purposes.

Form: 30-2455

(16)

Normandy Barriere^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: N Tinkler| OR: 84| CD

7/1

Dual course winner. Losing run goes back to May 2017, and while he's become well handicapped, there is a question over his current form on the back of a couple of rather lifeless efforts here and at Newmarket.

Form: 593277

(1)

A Sure Welcome^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Ryan Tate| T: J L Spearing| OR: 80| D

20/1

Both turf wins over 5f at Chepstow this year, but he improved again when beaten narrowly by course specialist Major Valentine over 6f there last time. Not dismissed, although could be isolated from widest draw.

Form: 128412

(5)

Equiano Springs¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Sullivan| T: T P Tate| OR: 80| BF| D

10/1

Unlike some, this gelding is a model of consistency, winning at Newcastle and Doncaster this summer. Has got going too late in recent outings at Redcar and Ripon, and perhaps worth another try at 7f, although this stiff track could compensate.

Form: 121454

(6)

Mr Orange^p³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P T Midgley| OR: 79| D

16/1

Pontefract specialist who gained his fourth and fifth course wins on his two most recent outings, but he's climbed the weights as a result, and others may have his measure away from home soil.

Form: 367011

(15)

Iconic Knight¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: E Walker| OR: 78

7/1

Both wins last year over an extended 5f on turf. Back to form when runner-up on his last two starts at York and Windsor over 6f, and no reason why he won't continue to give a good account.

Form: 036722

(13)

Whelans Way⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: R A Teal| OR: 80| BF| CD

5/1

Now 9lb higher than when landing a lesser handicap over C&D in May, but has held his form well since, making the frame on all three starts. Has been given a break since the end of June, and every chance if returning in similar vein.

Form: 61-1232

(7)

In The Red^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: E J Walsh| T: Martin Smith| OR: 77

50/1

Won at Kempton and Lingfield in the early part of the year, but off more than four months after latest success, and has failed to beat a rival in both starts since his return. Plenty to prove now.

Form: 123100

(14)

Total Commitment¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 79| D

9/2

Showed marked improvement to win a Kempton novice in December, and having been gelded, made a winning handicap bow at Newmarket (6f) last month, belying market weakness. Totally unexposed, and could be a fair way ahead of the assessor.

Form: 661-1

(4)

Shorter Skirt^p¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Georgia Dobie⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 78| D

20/1

Still 4lb higher than when scoring over 6f at Newbury in July, and while she has claims on that form, three subsequent runs have not seen her hit similar heights, and others are more convincing.

Form: 661835

(9)

Lady Of Aran¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 74

10/1

Rusty on first two starts this year, but has run well over 7f/1m subsequently, and found only one too good at Kempton on latest outing. Should remain in form from 2lb higher, but return to sprinting is not certain to suit.

Form: 2/79342

(2)

Lightning Charlie¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 73| CD

16/1

Only two wins from 34 starts on turf and more effective on AW. Running creditably enough without troubling the judge of late, but needs to raise his game to snap a losing sequence.

Form: 646494

(8)

Doc Sportello²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: B Doyle| T: A W Carroll| OR: 72| D

33/1

Beaten in a blanket finish at Windsor on penultimate outing, and not disgraced despite failing to justify market support at Chester last time. This does look a much deeper contest, however, and work to do on balance.

Form: 096863

(11)

Big Lachie²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Liam Jones| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 72| D

25/1

Pretty consistent since winning over 5f at Bath in June, and beaten under 1L when fourth there last time. Can't be ruled out, but has done the majority of his winning in lesser handicaps.

Form: 122744

(12)

Cent Flying^t⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: W R Muir| OR: 70| D

16/1

Won a similar race from out of the weights at Newmarket last month, and ran respectably off his revised mark last time, but this is tougher, and he is again out of the handicap, so must improve again.

Form: 561313

Non-Runners

(3)

Rasheeq⁴²

Weight: 8-12| Age: 6

T: M Moubarak J: Seamus Cronin

Forecasts

Total Commitment (9/2), Whelans Way (5/1), Equitation (7/1), Iconic Knight (7/1), Normandy Barriere (7/1), Lady Of Aran (10/1), Equiano Springs (10/1), Rasheeq (14/1), Cent Flying (16/1), Mr Orange (16/1), Lightning Charlie (16/1), Miracle of Medinah (20/1), Shorter Skirt (20/1), A Sure Welcome (20/1), Big Lachie (25/1), Doc Sportello (33/1), In The Red (50/1)

This seems quite a tight-knit contest, but TOTAL COMMITMENT is only 2lb higher than when winning cosily on his handicap bow at Newmarket, and that form has been boosted since. He is totally unexposed, and the booking of Ryan Moore is always significant for this yard. Whelans Way is another who has more to offer, and is respected for an underrated yard, with consistent pair Equiano Springs and Iconic Knight completing the shortlist.