15:05 Ascot

Saturday 3 October 2020

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:15

tote.co.uk Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap)

(11)

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Saffie Osborne⁽⁷⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 107| CD

Four of his 7 career wins gained here, including this contest in 2018, and he shaped better than bare result on reappearance when eighth in the Royal Hunt Cup. Much respected despite his absence.

Form: 31309-8

(3)

Kynren¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: William Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 105| CD

Last year's winner arrives on back of good fifth in Ayr Gold Cup 14 days ago when he raced closer to pace than ideal. Can make his presence felt again on second run back since wind op.

Form: 216-905

(8)

Orbaan²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 103

Winner at York in July and has largely run well since, set a lot to do when keeping-on fourth of 8 in 1m handicap back there last time. Merits consideration.

Form: 814774

(9)

Blown By Wind¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 102| C| D

Course winner but below-par fourth of 6 in handicap (14/1) at Chelmsford City (7f) 13 days ago. Slow start is hindering him at present so others are more persuasive.

Form: 200454

(17)

Greenside⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Marco Ghiani⁽⁵⁾| T: H Candy| OR: 101| D

Consistent sort who scored over this trip at Haydock before good third of 9 in handicap at York (7.9f) only run since 70 days ago. Goes well fresh so not ruled out off unchanged mark.

Form: 452-713

(16)

Ropey Guest³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 103| D

In excellent form since the restart, and readily landed the odds in 7f minor event at Chelmsford City last time. Makes belated handicap debut now but more is needed off stiff mark.

Form: 332-431

(2)

Blue Mist²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Dobbs| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 100| BF| CD

Has often threatened to land a big pot and delivered on that when landing International Stakes over C&D in July. Underwhelming ninth back there though on his only run since so has bit to prove now.

Form: 36-2919

(6)

King Ottokar^v²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: C Fellowes| OR: 100| D

Showed smart form last season and took big step back in right direction when fifth of 12 in 1m handicap at Doncaster 21 days ago, going strongly but left with too much to do. Must enter calculations.

Form: 35-5955

(12)

River Nymph⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 101| CD

Very much on the up and followed C&D win with stylish victory at Newbury when again showing good turn of foot. That form is working out well so he rates a big player despite 11 lb hike in the weights.

Form: 21-3811

(4)

Wise Counsel^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: C G Cox| OR: 97| D

Dual 7f winner in 2019 who (cheekpieces on) posted good eighth of 24 in 6f handicap at Ayr 14 days ago, having to pick his way through. Not ruled out off 1 lb lower but yard also have River Nymph in.

Form: 181-388

(10)

Revich^v²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: R Spencer| OR: 97| D

Racked up back-to-back 7f wins at Chester in August before good fifth of 16 in handicap over C&D last time. Very much one for the shortlist.

Form: 3-65115

(7)

Jack's Point²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: M Dwyer| T: W R Muir| OR: 97| D

Started the season with a win at Newmarket and right back on song when third of 10 in handicap at Sandown (7f) 22 days ago. Can make presence felt again.

Form: 205063

(15)

Young Fire¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| D

Latest win over 7f at Haydock in September and not disgraced back at 6f when tenth of 24 in handicap (16/1) at Ayr 14 days ago, especially as he missed break. Considered.

Form: 044710

(14)

Kimifive¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Tyler Heard⁽⁷⁾| T: J Tuite| OR: 95| D

It's now seventeen runs since his last win in 2019, and only fifth of 6 in handicap at Chelmsford City (7f, 14/1) 13 days ago. Talented but others appeal more.

Form: 262045

(13)

Shelir¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Cieren Fallon| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

Recorded career best when winning 1m handicap at Thirsk and followed it with good third of 9 in handicap at Ayr (8f) 14 days ago. In the mix once more off unchanged mark.

Form: 685613

(18)

Admirality¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Rowan Scott| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 93| D

Losing run is mounting up but he usually performs with credit, runner-up in Ayr Silver Cup 14 days ago. Another worth considering despite 3 lb rise now.

Form: 562222

(1)

Gabrial The Wire¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: G Lee| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

Latest win came over 7f at Musselburgh in July but only twentieth of 24 in handicap at Ayr (6f) 14 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 514700

Non-Runners

(5)

Hey Jonesy¹⁴

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: K A Ryan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Kynren (9/2), River Nymph (5/1), Raising Sand (6/1), Blue Mist (7/1), Greenside (10/1), Shelir (10/1), King Ottokar (14/1), Blown By Wind (16/1), Revich (16/1), Orbaan (16/1), Jack's Point (16/1), Admirality (20/1), Hey Jonesy (20/1), Young Fire (20/1), Ropey Guest (25/1), Wise Counsel (25/1), Kimifive (25/1), Gabrial The Wire (33/1)

An ultra-competitive handicap but it's impossible to ignore the claims of RIVER NYMPH who is on a seriously upward curve and showed he goes well here with a C&D win this summer. King Ottokar has been in the doldrums but this smart 3-y-o looked on the way back when fifth at Doncaster so is feared most, while in-form Orbaan and past winners Kynren and Raising Sand are sure to have a say too.