16:50 Ascot

Friday 4 September 2020

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

Beefeater Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:53 | Winning time: 1m 45.03s

(7)

Blown By Wind¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 104| C

12/1

Resumed winning ways at Newmarket in June and ran a cracker when runner up back there 3 weeks later. Blew the start next 2 times but took a step back in the right direction at Chester 15 days ago.

Form: 102004

(5)

Orbaan^h¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 103| D

16/1

Ex-French recruit who scored on second outing for this yard at York in July. Disappointing at Newbury 2 starts later but was back to form in a first-time hood in a quality affair at York last time.

Form: 4-81477

(4)

Afaak²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 102| BF| CD

13/2

2019 Royal Hunt Cup winner who wasn't disgraced in this year's renewal of that race in June. Fine third with first-time blinkers enlisted at Glorious Goodwood but not in same form at Newbury since.

Form: 04-7035

(9)

Cap Francais²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: E Walker| OR: 101| D

5/1

Looked better than ever when making a winning return at Haydock. Failed to fire there next time but was quickly back to form when 2½ lengths second of 9 to Via Serendipity over C&D last time.

Form: 908-102

(1)

Breden³⁷⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: Mrs L C Jewell| OR: 97| D

200/1

Landed 1m Newbury handicap in May 2019 but below form all 3 starts later that year. Tough task on reappearance.

Form: 351077-

(8)

Tempus²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 93| D

13/8

Won maiden at Wolverhampton and novice at Haydock in 2019 and added to those wins when awarded 8-runner handicap (1m) at Newbury in the stewards’ room on return 20 days ago. Will go on improving.

Form: 2/114-1

(6)

Walhaan¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: M Harley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91

11/2

Fairly useful 7f winner in France and very much caught the eye when tenderly-handled second of 12 in 7f handicap here in July. Left with a lot to do at York since and remains one to keep an eye on.

Form: 34-0528

(2)

Gin Palace¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 90| D

11/2

Returned with wins at Newbury and Newmarket (1m) in June and looked as good as ever when runner-up at Sandown (1m) last time, faring best of those ridden prominently. Ought to remain competitive.

Form: 36-1102

Non-Runners

(3)

Mon Choix¹⁴

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: David Probert

Forecasts

Tempus (13/8), Cap Francais (5/1), Walhaan (11/2), Gin Palace (11/2), Afaak (13/2), Blown By Wind (12/1), Mon Choix (12/1), Orbaan (16/1), Breden (200/1)

TEMPUS needed a helping hand from the Stewards at Newbury but there's no question he took his form up a notch, and with the prospect of more to come given how he’s bred, he remains of firm interest. Orbaan and Walhaan were not beaten far in a quality handicap at York 15 days ago, so command plenty of respect.