14:45 Ascot

Saturday 7 September 2019

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Cunard Handicap

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 1m 27.02s

(9)

Tabarrak¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 110| CD

8/1

A dual course winner who has won four Listed races, he was an unlucky second at Goodwood (7f, good) back in a handicap behind Salute The Soldier two weeks ago. Has ran well under big weights and back up 2lb is respected.

Form: 511-462

(12)

Escobar^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R P Downey| T: D O'Meara| OR: 104| D

10/1

Although he has won over this trip, his best form has come at 1m. Found a Group 3 at York (1m1f, good to firm) too much two weeks ago and whilst appreciating the return to handicap company, will need a career best here.

Form: 902135

(10)

Pogo¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 105| D

20/1

Back to form when posting a new best to win at York (1m, good to firm) 15 days ago. A 6lb rise gives him a career-high mark and so he needs to improve again to win another fiendishly competitive event.

Form: 617091

(2)

Salute The Soldier¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 101| D

10/1

Several good handicap efforts this year and got first run on Tabarrak when winning at Goodwood (7f, good) 14 days ago. Very little between them on that evidence but has to be shortlisted despite career-high mark.

Form: D20821

(5)

Fanaar^b,t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103| D

12/1

Bettered his Listed win in April with defeats in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m, good to soft) here and at York (1m, good to firm) behind Pogo last time. Handicapper not relenting as a result but has place claims.

Form: 174303

(3)

Spanish City^p1¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Marco Ghiani⁽⁷⁾| T: R Varian| OR: 97| D

7/1

Appreciated the ease in grade when beating three rivals at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) 13 days ago. Beaten in several good handicaps before that and despite apprentice's claim and the addition of cheekpieces, is vulnerable back up in class.

Form: 253401

(1)

Another Batt¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 95| D

16/1

Has been out of form since winning at Meydan (7f, good) back in January. Is now 5lb below his winning mark at Chester in May 2018 but will need to return to somewhere near his best to play a leading role.

Form: 600895

(13)

Arbalet^b1,t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: J F Egan| T: H Palmer| OR: 95| D

10/1

Both career wins have been in novice company. Ran two crackers at this course (7f/1m) in 2018 and isn't badly handicapped on that form. His recent efforts haven't inspired confidence, however, and first-time blinkers are applied.

Form: 564400

(15)

Ripp Orf^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Watson| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 94| CD

7/2

Won this event off 1lb lower 12 months ago and has been back in form the last thrice after a quiet start to the year. Form figures of 131254 at this course and should make bold bid to retain his crown.

Form: 050642

(7)

Sanaadh^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: N Mackay| T: M Wigham| OR: 92| D

12/1

Just 1lb above his winning mark at Kempton (7f, Polytrack) back in March and has ran well the last twice at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) and Goodwood (7f, good) in valuable events. Should run his race but others preferred.

Form: 410085

(16)

Kimifive¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: J Quinn| T: J Tuite| OR: 91| BF| D

16/1

Slowly drifting down the weights this year after an inconsistent season. Only beaten 1½L behind Salute The Soldier at Goodwood (7f, good) when sixth but never looked like winning and remains 3lb above his last winning mark.

Form: 762006

(17)

Ventura Ocean³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: K T O'Neill| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94| D

14/1

Three good efforts of late in Class 3 company, culminating with a narrow win at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) 35 days ago. Higher grade here and up 3lb but is lightly raced in comparison to some and so cannot be entirely dismissed.

Form: 100221

(6)

Shady Mccoy⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 8-3| J: Darragh Keenan⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 89| BF| CD

33/1

Been below his best for the most part this campaign. Finished second over C&D last time out, beaten 2½L. That was a weaker affair and despite being well-handicapped on his best form, age maybe catching-up with this nine-year-old.

Form: 760042

(14)

Blackheath¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: Megan Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 89| D

12/1

Picked-up a decent prize at Leicester (7f, good to firm) in July but has fallen short in better races since then. This no easier and and will need a considerable step-forward to make an impact this time.

Form: 627170

(11)

Rum Runner²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: M Dwyer| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

20/1

Yet to win above Class 3 company and found a good opportunity down in grade at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) two starts ago. Likeable type but beaten since at Doncaster (7f, soft) and whilst in good heart, would be a surprise winner of this.

Form: 930013

(4)

Breanski²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-1| J: R Ffrench| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 87| CD

20/1

Won the same race at Doncaster (7f, soft) for the second year in running three weeks ago and was also awarded a race over C&D back in July. Obviously in fine fettle currently and with form here, has possibilities of making the frame.

Form: 053161

Non-Runners

(8)

Vale Of Kent⁷

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: C & M Johnston J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ripp Orf (7/2), Spanish City (7/1), Tabarrak (8/1), Salute The Soldier (10/1), Escobar (10/1), Arbalet (10/1), Vale Of Kent (10/1), Blackheath (12/1), Sanaadh (12/1), Fanaar (12/1), Ventura Ocean (14/1), Another Batt (16/1), Kimifive (16/1), Pogo (20/1), Rum Runner (20/1), Breanski (20/1), Shady Mccoy (33/1)

A typically competitive field for this type of contest but with such good form at this course and creditable recent efforts, it's hard not to enthuse about the chances of RIPP ORF winning the race for the second year. Tabarrak may well have won at Goodwood with a clear run and has performed well under big weights here before whilst Salute The Soldier is closely matched with Tabarrak from last time out.