17:20 Ascot

Saturday 25 July 2020

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 3m 27.03s

(6)

Solo Saxophone^v¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: B Haslam| OR: 94| D

9/4

Change of scenery has done him the power of good, and now 3-3 since joining Ben Haslam. Won as he liked at York over this trip last time, and although he's gone up 10lb for that win, he's hard to rule out.

Form: 227/111

(2)

Speedo Boy²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-13| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94| CD

7/1

Landed this race two years ago, but although he's not won since on the Flat, he remains 1lb higher. Off a year before latest run at Newmarket last month, and should be better for that outing, but others preferred.

Form: 66720-5

(3)

Scaramanga^p1³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: L Dettori| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 85| D

15/8

Useful hurdler, although remains a maiden in this sphere. Ran well enough when 2¼L third of 9 to Holy Kingdom at Newmarket last time, and apprentice is replaced by a leading professional now. Cheekpieces should help, and he's one to take seriously.

Form: 342/2-43

(1)

Young Merlin^b1¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: R L Moore| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 78

8/1

Penultimate second at Kempton has worked out well, and he again ran well when second to Solo Saxophone at York last time. Blinkers should aid his finishing effort (carries head high), and now 10lb better off with that rival.

Form: 6143-22

(8)

Casa Comigo¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Best| OR: 69| D

100/1

Back to form when 1½L third of 14 to Atomic Jack at Kempton last time, but all his best efforts have come on Polytrack, and he's not easy to fancy after a modest effort when last seen on turf.

Form: 732-763

(4)

Table Mountain¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: Raul Da Silva| T: A M Balding| OR: 77

9/2

Modest form in qualifying, but much improved when second of 6 to Alphabetical on handicap debut over C&D despite flashing her tail. Will progress, but races off a 12lb mark as she's out of the handicap here, and that tempers confidence somewhat.

Form: 0-442

Non-Runners

(5)

Sleeping Lion¹⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 5

T: J R Fanshawe J: A Kirby

(7)

Cosmelli¹⁴

Weight: 9-6| Age: 7

T: Miss Gay Kelleway J: George Rooke

Forecasts

Scaramanga (15/8), Solo Saxophone (9/4), Cosmelli (4/1), Table Mountain (9/2), Speedo Boy (7/1), Young Merlin (8/1), Sleeping Lion (8/1), Casa Comigo (100/1)

SCARAMANGA ran well at Newmarket last time, but he didn't do a lot to help his rider there, and the combination of Dettori replacing the trainer's daughter, and the fitting of headgear should ensure a more positive outcome. Young Merlin was readily held by Solo Saxophone at York last time, but a 10lb swing in the weights will help him, and while he can look a little half-hearted in a finish, the fitting of blinkers will almost certainly help in that regard.