15:35 Ascot

Wednesday 27 April 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 3m 26.41s

(6)

Enemy^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 108| C

4/1

Ex-French performer who looked a smart staying prospect for his new stable when hacking up in a valuable 1¾m handicap at Musselburgh on Easter Saturday. The ease of that success suggests he can make his mark at a higher level.

Form: 472-941

(2)

Nayef Road⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 107| D

8/1

Very good stayer in 2020, winning this race (at Newcastle) and second in Gold Cup here. However, he failed to hit the same heights last year, despite a Newmarket listed win, and his 3 AW efforts this year have been underwhelming. Bounce back needed.

Form: 531-404

(5)

Quickthorn²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Morrison| OR: 108| C

7/2

Won Duke of Edinburgh at last year's Royal meeting and went agonisngly close in Ebor at York 2 months later. Ended 2021 with a disappointing run in Royal Oak at Longchamp but back on track with 3 lengths second to Trueshan in Nottingham listed on reappearance.

Form: 82149-2

(3)

Tashkhan¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 116

13/2

Big improver for this yard last year, culminating with excellent 1½ lengths second of 10 to Trueshan in Long Distance Cup over C&D in November. Bold show assured if returning in similar form.

Form: 912552-

(7)

Wordsworth²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110

2/1

Placed in Irish Derby/Grand Prix De Paris last term and resumed with a win in 1¾m Gowran conditions race. Only workmanlike on that occasion but he leaves the impression he'll be well suited by this step up to 2m.

Form: 23255-1

(4)

Princess Zoe⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: J M Sheridan| T: A Mullins| OR: 113

17/2

Drawn a blank since Prix du Cadran success at Longchamp in autumn 2020 but that doesn't tell the whole story as her second in Gold Cup here at last year's Royal meeting was a career-best effort. Well held in Saudi Arabia on reappearance but major player if back to anywhere near her best.

Form: 94225-0

Non-Runners

(1)

Calling The Wind³¹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 6

T: R Hughes J: P J Dobbs

Forecasts

Wordsworth (2/1), Quickthorn (7/2), Enemy (4/1), Tashkhan (13/2), Nayef Road (8/1), Princess Zoe (17/2), Calling The Wind (16/1)

It was hard not be impressed by the way ENEMY sliced through his field to hack up in a valuable big-field handicap at Musselburgh over Easter and he might be worth siding with to strike while the iron's hot and take the step up to pattern level in his stride, partiuclarly as it's hard to be certain what sort of form standard setters Princess Zoe and Tashkhan arrive in. Wordsworth could have more to come now stepping up to 2m and is also respected.