15:40 Ascot

Friday 3 September 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1016:45

National Racehorse Week Handicap (Str)

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 1m 40.96s

(5)

Fantastic Fox²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 100| D

9/4

Well held in 1¼m at Royal meeting here but he has a progressive record over 1m. Looked to have a bit in hand when seeing off 4 rivals in handicap at Haydock last time so a 6 lb rise may not stop him.

Form: 3-31031

(6)

Uncle Bryn¹¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 99| D

5/2

Won maiden/novice events on AW last autumn. Failed to fire in 2 Derby trials over 1¼m in the spring but returns from break/gelding op as an unexposed 3-y-o from a top yard. Market support significant.

Form: 11-30

(3)

Ropey Guest⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 94

12/1

Just an AW novice win to name but he has posted some good efforts in handicap company, including here. Not at best in International over 7f at this venue last time but this clearly a bit easier.

Form: 2-60080

(1)

You're Hired¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 92| D

16/1

Built on encouraging reappearance fifth at Sandown when narrowly landing a 1m Bath handicap. A small rise for that has found him out at this Class 2 level twice since, though.

Form: 47-5149

(7)

Gifted Ruler¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Liam Jones| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 92

9/1

Half-brother to yard's mighty sprinter Kachy. Doesn't possess that one's speed but he's developed into a useful handicapper. Does need to bounce back from a poor effort at York's Ebor meeting, though.

Form: 92-0220

(4)

Walhaan²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: J Tate| OR: 87

7/2

Dual winner in France. Yet to strike on these shores but there've plenty of good efforts, including latest close third at Newbury (1m). Prominent showing likely under Moore.

Form: 204-753

(2)

Ebury¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: S Dixon| OR: 85| CD

17/2

Dual winner for Martyn Meade (including over C&D) and has posted a couple of good placed efforts at York for new yard this summer. Failed to stay 1¼m there last time and treated as if still in form.

Form: 368209

Forecasts

Fantastic Fox (9/4), Uncle Bryn (5/2), Walhaan (7/2), Ebury (17/2), Gifted Ruler (9/1), Ropey Guest (12/1), You're Hired (16/1)

FANTASTIC FOX is a 3-y-o heading in the right direction and is taken to defy the handicapper and follow up last month's Haydock success. Uncle Bryn is on a bit of a retrieval mission but he does retain potential as a lightly-raced 3-y-o from a top yard, while Walhaan has found winning difficult in Britain but is thereabouts on his latest Newbury third.