16:30 Ascot

Saturday 7 September 2019

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

Fever-Tree Handicap

Off time: 16:38 | Winning time: 1m 12.63s

(7)

Major Partnership¹⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Callum Shepherd| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 102| D

14/1

Improved throughout 2018 to win three races (6f/7f/1m) and did win once from four starts at Meydan (1m, good) in February. His three other starts in Dubai were disappointing, however, and is best watched after nearly six months off.

Form: 31-8010

(11)

Stone Of Destiny¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| C| D

18/1

Appreciated the ease in grade when landing the Shergar Cup Dash (5f, good) here a month ago but struggled in more competitive contests this season and his best form is over 5f. Others preferred.

Form: 806810

(8)

Open Wide^b¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 97| BF| D

6/1

Very consistent gelding who has ran well is some big handicaps this year, most notably when second in the Stewards' Cup (6f, good to firm). Unlucky last time after a troubled passage at Goodwood (6f, good) and is one for the shortlist.

Form: 012224

(5)

Dream Today¹⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 95| D

33/1

Won at Meydan (6f, good) back in January and not disgraced in three other starts in the desert. Now 1lb lower but not seen since February and will need to be 100% to land this contest.

Form: 25-1338

(6)

Lethal Lunch¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 93| CD

15/2

Good record of 4/14 and has been brought along slowly. Won over C&D (good) as a juvenile but all three victories since have been at 7f. This stiff track and likelihood of a decent gallop should be beneficial and is primed for a big run.

Form: 3421-41

(10)

Walk On Walter^h⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: J F Egan| T: J G Portman| OR: 93| D

33/1

Up a total of 10lb for two early season wins and has been falling short with his new rating since. Handicapper only slowly relenting, however, and this may prove a shade too competitive.

Form: 113955

(14)

Alkaraama⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dane O'Neill| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 94| D

7/2

Lightly raced colt who has won three of his five starts. All wins on the AW (Tapeta/Polytrack) but still early days and no obvious reason that he shouldn't handle turf. Progressive youngster in this line-up who is a danger to all.

Form: 31311

(13)

Glenamoy Lad^t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: M Wigham| OR: 91| D

20/1

Fruitless campaign at Meydan in the Winter and no better back from a break at Goodwood (6f, good) 15 days ago. That may have sharpened him up and is drifting down the weights but needs a career-best to win.

Form: 6-68876

(15)

Count Otto^h¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 90| D

25/1

Won a weaker affair at Epsom (6f, good) in July and placed since at Newmarket (6f, good) and back at Epsom (6f, good to firm). That form all in Class 3 company; is 0/12 in today's Class 2 grade and is likely to fall short.

Form: 810622

(4)

Magical Ride²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁷⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 90| D

11/1

Shrewdly handled to win four races June-August at Yarmouth (7f/1m) and Lingfield (6f/7f) and is up a whopping 35lb in total. Up from 0-75 last time to 0-105 today and whilst obviously thriving, this is a different kettle of fish entirely.

Form: 211411

(12)

Fille De Reve¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: K T O'Neill| T: E Walker| OR: 90| CD

14/1

Landed this contest of 1lb higher 12 months ago by a nose. Came into the contest in much better form than this time with three moderate efforts this year. Back into a handicap will help and conditions suit so not dismissed if staging a revival.

Form: 110-806

(3)

Mokaatil^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 88| D

33/1

Back in better form with a narrow defeat at Windsor (6f, good to firm) and narrow victory at Epsom (6f, good to firm) the last twice. Has found similar races to this beyond him but can't be ruled out given his recent fine fettle.

Form: 093021

(9)

Swindler⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Louis Steward| T: E Walker| OR: 90| BF| CD

10/3

Unexposed three-year-old from last year's winning yard. Won well over C&D (good to firm) two months ago but after getting bumped at the start last time at Newmarket (6f, good) he finished midfield. Just his sixth run and the best is yet to come.

Form: 223-15

(2)

Golden Apollo^p,t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: M Dwyer| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87| CD

10/1

Generally consistent this year and now 8lb below his last winning mark which over two years ago. Has won over C&D before, isn't badly handicapped and likely to give his running so has place claims.

Form: 538483

Non-Runners

(1)

Gunmetal¹⁷

Weight: 9-9| Age: 6

T: T D Barron J: W Buick

Forecasts

Swindler (10/3), Alkaraama (7/2), Open Wide (6/1), Lethal Lunch (15/2), Golden Apollo (10/1), Magical Ride (11/1), Gunmetal (12/1), Major Partnership (14/1), Fille De Reve (14/1), Stone Of Destiny (18/1), Glenamoy Lad (20/1), Count Otto (25/1), Dream Today (33/1), Walk On Walter (33/1), Mokaatil (33/1)

Trainer Ed Walker has a strong hand with unexposed SWINDLER who can be forgiven a slightly disappointing effort last time and bounce back. Alkaraama is highly respected if translating his AW form onto the turf whilst Open Wide should've won at Goodwood last time out and is very consistent.