14:00 Ascot

Saturday 5 October 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1516:50

UK Hi-Fi Show Live Rous Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 1m 1.12s

(6)

Dakota Gold¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 110| BF| D

15/8

Progressive sprinter having made the leap from handicaps to this company of late acquitting himself very well in a 5f Group 3 last time (also won at Listed level). Should have no problem with the prevailing conditions; bold bid on the cards.

Form: 511112

(1)

Arecibo^v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 100| D

12/1

Consistent sort who has been running in all the big handicap sprints this year but does keep coming up short. Has won once over 5f this year at Ayr but looks to have work to do with some of these based on past encounters; handles easier ground.

Form: 203248

(7)

Danzeno²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 105| CD

6/1

Classy sprinter (C&D winner) who has shown good form this year to win over 5f/6f; run two sound races in Listed company on his last two starts. Second to Dakota Gold at York last month (6f), 3lb better off, may just come up short once more.

Form: 131342

(4)

Stake Acclaim²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: D K Ivory| OR: 105| CD

10/1

Group 3 company has proved just a little too testing on his last two starts and this C&D winner will appreciate the slight ease in grade. Showed his best form earlier in the year returning from a long absence; C&D winner so not written off.

Form: 0/14327

(10)

The Cruising Lord⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: M J Attwater| OR: 97

50/1

A Bath minor event remains the only win on his CV having shown some good form as a 2yo. Subsequent efforts this year in Listed/Group 3 company have proved just beyond him although he's not been disgraced; below-par in handicaps last two starts.

Form: 692590

(9)

Tis Marvellous^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 109| BF| CD

7/1

Smart performer with two classy C&D handicap wins to his name off marks of 100/103 (career-best). Not beaten that far in Listed grade the last twice but it looks as though big-field handicaps will be the sphere that bring out the best in him.

Form: 842154

(3)

True Mason^v²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: K R Burke| OR: 95

16/1

Would have a chance based on his juvenile form (second in Mill Reef); hasn't really progressed this year although still highly tried. Given a wind op after his first two starts this year; way out of his depth in a Curragh Group 1 5f event last time.

Form: 8-44040

(8)

Intense Romance²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: S De Sousa| T: M Dods| OR: 97| CD

12/1

Dual C&D winner including this race last year when completing a hat-trick; lightly-raced since then. Yet to really sparkle this season (four runs) failing last time out at Haydock in a race that started her winning spree last year; more needed.

Form: 11-6606

(2)

Maygold²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: L P Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 97| D

11/2

Steadily progressive filly who relished softer conditions at Haydock last time over 5f to get back to winning ways (couple of today's rivals behind). Performed in a modest manner only previous try at the level (6f); 5f suits well as do conditions.

Form: 241351

(5)

Poetry²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M L W Bell| OR: 98| D

25/1

Juvenile form needs to be matched or bettered for her to have a chance here having been successful in a French Listed event over 5f last year. No wins to her name this year but has run respectably at Listed/Group 3 level; conditions a question mark.

Form: 7-94349

(11)

Reticent Angel^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: H Crouch| T: C G Cox| OR: 90| D

66/1

One standout effort to her name this year when third in a Sandown Listed event over 5f. Failed to match that run at the same level twice now finishing well held last time (not ideally placed); one of the lesser lights in a competitive heat.

Form: 843398

Forecasts

Dakota Gold (15/8), Maygold (11/2), Danzeno (6/1), Tis Marvellous (7/1), Stake Acclaim (10/1), Arecibo (12/1), Intense Romance (12/1), True Mason (16/1), Poetry (25/1), The Cruising Lord (50/1), Reticent Angel (66/1)

Trainer Michael Dods took this with Intense Romance last year when she was in far better form than she is now and a return here may rejuvenate the dual C&D winner but Dods has an ace up his sleeve in DAKOTA GOLD. The softer ground and the 3lb penalty for winning at York shouldn’t really halt the progression of this smart sort who once again should hold the whip hand over the consistent Danzeno also at home here. Maygold deserves another chance at this level and although Arecibo who she defeated at Haydock last time could well get closer he does look the sort who often flatters to deceive whereas Ed Walker’s filly still looks on the up.