17:40 Ascot

Friday 6 May 2022

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

Ascot Fan Pass Handicap (Str)

Off time: 17:42 | Winning time: 1m 43.51s

(7)

Blueberry Hill¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 85

12/1

Stepped up on reappearance when winning 9-runner minor event at Epsom 17 days ago, suited by increase in trip (also had the benefit of a recent run over his main rivals). Seems a straightforward type and should have more to offer now moving into handicaps.

Form: 23-31

(4)

Atrium²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 85| C

7/2

Course winner last summer who signed off his 2-y-o campaign when winning a nursery at Newcastle. Wasn't seen to best effect back on turf after 5 months off at Musselburgh 20 days ago and will need to brush up on his slow starts before he's of interest.

Form: 31461-4

(12)

Khathak^b,t⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 84| D

6/1

Brother to high-class winner Ribchester who made a winning start on the back of a breathing operation at Kempton in December. Not quite kicked on from that on a couple of subsequent outings but may well do better sent handicapping. Interesting.

Form: 1-32

(9)

Court Of Session⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Coakley| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 77| D

9/1

Gelded and much improved on return when making a winning handicap debut at Chelmsford last month. Maintained his unbeaten record in handicaps a fortnight later at Lingfield and with improvement on the cards, he's expected to make a bold bid for the hat-trick under a penalty.

Form: 633-11

(5)

Duelist²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 80| BF

11/2

Dubawi colt who was strong in the betting (on the back of a wind op) but no more than reproduced the form of his second run in the autumn when fifth on reappearance at Newbury 20 days ago. Makes handicap debut here and yard won this corresponding event last year.

Form: 54-5

(11)

Taratari¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 79

8/1

Similar form on all 3 starts so far, latest when runner-up at Salisbury 16 days ago. That effort offered plenty of encouragement now upped in trip moving into handicaps.

Form: 2-32

(1)

Francesi³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ray Dawson| T: S Woods| OR: 79| D

16/1

Plenty of promise as a 2-y-o and probably didn't need to improve to get off the mark when scoring at Lingfield last month, getting first run but winning cosily. Another with potential now moving into handicaps.

Form: 834-1

(10)

Paradias²⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 79

15/2

£100,000 buy at the breeze-ups and he showed plenty when runner-up at Sandown on debut. Caught the eye with how long he went on the bridle at Haydock on his final 2-y-o start and he could have a say on handicap debut/return.

Form: 243-

(8)

Havana Goldrush^b⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: N Callan| T: J S Moore| OR: 77| D

18/1

Doubled his career tally when scoring at Wolverhampton in February and seemed to take a step forward when a close fourth (150/1) at Kempton 9 weeks ago, probably flattered by proximity to principals. Turf debut today and will need to find more.

Form: 41-4144

(6)

Sip And Smile¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Hayley Turner| T: G Boughey| OR: 77

11/1

Won first couple of starts at Newcastle earlier this year but his career in handicaps has been rather disappointing, fourth of 6 at Doncaster (turf debut) a fortnight ago. Hopes pinned on this step up in trip sparking the necessary improvement.

Form: 1164

(3)

Meleagant¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 75

28/1

Some promise 3 minor events in recent weeks, 5½ lengths fifth of 9 to Blueberry Hill at Epsom 17 days ago. Open to improvement now moving into handicaps so worth a market check.

Form: 575

(14)

Never In Fourth²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S De Sousa| T: R A Teal| OR: 72

33/1

Steadily progressive sort who got off the mark in a 7f Wolverhampton nursery in November and followed up over extended mile at that venue later that month. Not up to the task at Newmarket last month and he may struggle once again here.

Form: 05311-0

(2)

Copperknob¹⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 66

25/1

Caught the eye on handicap debut at Kempton but struggled on both subsequent outings, never looking comfortable on his final 2-y-o start at Nottingham (went with little fluency). Makes return after 6 months off but others appeal more.

Form: 003577-

Non-Runners

(13)

Cumulonimbus²⁰

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: C Fellowes J: David Egan

Forecasts

Atrium (7/2), Duelist (11/2), Khathak (6/1), Paradias (15/2), Taratari (8/1), Court Of Session (9/1), Sip And Smile (11/1), Blueberry Hill (12/1), Cumulonimbus (12/1), Francesi (16/1), Havana Goldrush (18/1), Copperknob (25/1), Meleagant (28/1), Never In Fourth (33/1)

COURT OF SESSION has made the perfect start to life in handicaps, taking his record to 2-2 in comprehensive fashion at Lingfield 8 days ago. With further improvement a distinct possibility, he can make light of a 6 lb penalty and bring up a quick-fire hat-trick. Khathak, Cumulonimbus and Paradias are all open to progress now moving into handicaps and they can chase the selection home in that order.