16:15 Ascot

Friday 4 September 2020

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:2017:55

Harrogate Water Classified Stakes (Str)

Off time: 16:17 | Winning time: 1m 43.03s

(9)

Brains^b⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Nicola Currie| T: J A Osborne| OR: 87| D

25/1

Cracking record on AW (5 wins from last 8 starts on synthetic surfaces) but jury out on whether he'll match that form on turf, well beaten in the Hunt Cup consolation here last time.

Form: 4-11170

(8)

Divine Messenger^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: Emma Owen| OR: 83| D

200/1

Fair AW winner. Ran as if amiss at Chelmsford a fortnight ago and having only second go on turf now. Can't be fancied.

Form: 26-2329

(5)

Eagle Creek⁸¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: T P Queally| T: W J Knight| OR: 90| D

40/1

AW maiden winner over this trip in April 2017. Sold from Simon & Ed Crisford 21,000 gns in July 2020 having missed over 2 years. Tricky to weigh up though new yard having a fine season.

Form: 927306/

(1)

Marronnier^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Marco Ghiani⁽⁵⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 90

7/2

Scored twice last term and caught the eye under this rider in decent 1m Sandown handicap a fortnight ago, likely to have been in the shake up granted the rub of the green. Likely type.

Form: 2541-47

(10)

Nicklaus²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 89| D

6/1

Winless since 2018 but arrives on the back of solid efforts in handicaps (blinkered first time at Haydock latest). Wouldn't dismiss.

Form: 23-0235

(7)

Plantadream⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Spencer| T: J R Best| OR: 89| D

13/2

Did well on the AW earlier in the year, beating Divine Messenger in 1m Lingfield handicap in June. Not so good in feature turf handicaps the last twice but back down in grade under in-form rider now.

Form: 3-12100

(3)

Tulfarris³³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Hayley Turner| T: C Fellowes| OR: 89| D

5/1

Useful colt who was beaten less than a length in this race last season before done by a head in a similar C&D event final start. Has changed ownership since and this likely to have been a target.

Form: 209022-

(2)

Al Salt³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 89| D

5/2

Won a pair of 1m AW novices upon the resumption and ran well in 10f Glorious Goodwood handicap last time, moving well into contention and no extra only late on. More to come and big shout.

Form: 5-113

(4)

Grove Ferry¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 89

15/2

Good pedigree and won 6f/7f novice wins last summer. Better form in defeat in handicaps 11 weeks apart this season and could have more to offer.

Form: 811-35

(6)

Queen Gamrah⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87| D

28/1

Dual AW winner who hasn't convinced on either start she's tackled turf and may need a stiffer test now anyway. Others preferred.

Form: 6112-54

Forecasts

Al Salt (5/2), Marronnier (7/2), Tulfarris (5/1), Nicklaus (6/1), Plantadream (13/2), Grove Ferry (15/2), Brains (25/1), Queen Gamrah (28/1), Eagle Creek (40/1), Divine Messenger (200/1)

A minor event for horses with a current BHA rating no higher than 90 but AL SALT is one who could be better than that and he's taken to resume winning ways having shaped well in a Glorious Goodwood handicap last time. Marronnier was unlucky not to finish closer at Sandown and is another leading player along with last year's runner-up Tulfarris and Grove Ferry.