14:30 Ascot

Sunday 26 July 2020

All12:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Betfred 'Fred's Pushes' Handicap

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 2m 30.95s

(4)

Dash Of Spice¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 100| CD

17/2

C&D winner in 2018 only ran once more that season and off 727 days before recent 16L ninth of 13 at Newmarket over 1m6f. Entitled to have needed that so market can guide today.

Form: 22110/9

(5)

Koeman¹⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: J F Egan| T: M R Channon| OR: 99| CD

40/1

Previous C&D winner last seen struggling in Meydan Group 3 in February after going well there the time before in a handicap. Not obviously well treated for return but capable if fully wound up.

Form: 21-0529

(1)

Almania³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: D M Simcock| OR: 99

13/2

Only won once for Sir Michael Stoute but ran well in some warm races and his third to likely Group horse Fujaira Prince over 1m6f at the Royal meeting on his stable bow was another sound effort; leading claims here.

Form: 54563-3

(9)

Protected Guest³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 98

20/1

Four-time winner finished midfield in the Duke Of Edinburgh at the Royal Meeting latest. 10lb higher than last winning mark and that looks restrictive.

Form: 5122-57

(2)

Dal Horrisgle²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Haggas| OR: 98

7/1

Lightly-raced 4yo with 3-7 record; held in small-field h'caps at Goodwood (1m6f) and Newmarket (1m2f) either side of layoff but eased in ratings and stable flying. Unexposed at this trip and Group 3 third last summer suggests he can go well.

Form: 1/1155-4

(8)

Country¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| D

13/8

Took record to 4-8 when winning what looked a warm handicap at Newmarket last time out over 1m4f and having only gone up 4lb for it he looks a leading player for a red-hot yard which also run Dal Horrisgle.

Form: 1148-31

(7)

Jeremiah^b1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Fellowes| OR: 93| D

8/1

Off 672 days before eighth of 11 in Group 3 Sagaro over 2m. Back to this trip latest when a never nearer eighth of 16 at Haydock. May want further now although blinkers could sharpen him up.

Form: 3201/88

(6)

Mandarin³³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 92| D

40/1

Ran twice last season for Ian Willams and ran well when third over C&D on Shergar Cup day penultimately. Market can guide on return for new yard.

Form: 221130-

(3)

Sam Cooke¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 92| BF| D

5/1

Impressive 1m4½f Chester winner on handicap bow didn't seem to quite last 1m6f at Newmarket latest when fifth of 13 having held every chance 1f out. This trip may suit better and could easily be well handicapped.

Form: 221/1-5

Forecasts

Country (13/8), Sam Cooke (5/1), Almania (13/2), Dal Horrisgle (7/1), Jeremiah (8/1), Dash Of Spice (17/2), Protected Guest (20/1), Koeman (40/1), Mandarin (40/1)

Plenty of likable profiles here but today may finally be ALMANIA's day after an excellent third to a handicap snip at the Royal Meeting on his stable/seasonal bow last month. Dangers aplenty here however with recent Newmarket winner Country heading a strong William Haggas challenge. Lightly raced dual-winner Sam Cooke is another worthy of significant merit.