18:10 Royal Ascot

Tuesday 14 June 2022

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 3m 3.21s

(15)

Alounak¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 105

33/1

Smart on his day and opened account on these shores in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last summer. However, that was on slower ground that he's likely to encounter here (best form on good to soft/soft) and his latest effort in a Sandown Group 3 was pretty tame.

Form: 3275-38

(18)

Raymond Tusk⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 105

33/1

Resumed in this sphere with a comfortable success in 1½m Doncaster conditions event March. Good second in the John Porter at Newbury next time and, though well held in a Group 2 latest, he's an each-way player judged on his fine effort in the Duke of Edinburgh at this meeting last year.

Form: 228-125

(10)

Stowell^t³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 104| C

11/2

Confirmed debut promise when landing a maiden here last spring prior to finishing a fine third in the C&D Queen's Vase. Has performed with credit in Group 3/listed races over 1½m this season and he's of strong interest back up in trip on his handicap bow for last year's winning yard.

Form: 2135-34

(14)

Okita Soushi^t²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104

11/2

Impressive winner of a Fairyhouse maiden last June. Failed to land the odds in a three-runner affair at Leopardstown on sole subsequent start in 2021, but step back in the right direction when runner-up in a first-time tongue strap in a listed event at the Curragh (1½m, good) in May. Handicap bow.

Form: 13-2

(9)

Cleveland³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

2/1

Missed whole of 2021 campaign, but this well-bred colt has quickly started to make up for lost time, showing the benefit of his Naas pipe-opener in March when getting on top close hime in the Chester Cup (18.6f, good). 5 lb rise fair and big chance provided he copes with this drop back in trip.

Form: 551/51

(2)

Pita Pinta⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J A Stack| OR: 102

28/1

Improved during the autumn, clear-cut winner of handicaps at Navan (1¼m, soft) and Galway (1½m, heavy) in October. Best effort of this season so far when second upped to this trip in a Gowran listed race last time, but current mark/forecast conditions are factors which may count against her here.

Form: 611-752

(19)

Red Verdon^b⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 101| D

50/1

Veteran who has more than paid his way over the years, winning 10 times in total and countless good efforts in defeat. However, he was well beaten back in handicap company at Newmarket last time and it's doubtful that he'll fare much better here, despite the subsequent 3 lb drop.

Form: 35-2548

(12)

Quenelle D'or²³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 100

40/1

Front-runner who bagged Goodwood handicap last summer and a French listed event in September (both at 1½m). Appears to be versatile ground-wise, but she resumes on a tough-looking mark and it's probably best to look elsewhere on this occasion.

Form: 253215-

(6)

Not So Sleepy⁹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: A Kirby| T: H Morrison| OR: 99| C

25/1

Very useful dual-purpose performer who was by no means disgraced when sixth in the Champion Hurdle when last seen in March. Unbeaten in three starts here over hurdles, but well held both previous appearances at this meeting, albeit back in 2015/16, and the ground may be too lively for this 10-y-o.

Form: 7414/72-

(13)

Juan De Montalban³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: K P De Foy| OR: 99| C

4/1

Failed to fire in three starts for David O'Meara last term, but positive start for new yard when fourth in Thirsk handicap won by Get Shirty on return in April. Built on that when scoring in good style here (1½m, good to firm) last month and very much one to consider, despite going up 9 lb.

Form: 2470-41

(5)

Alright Sunshine^v²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Garritty| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 99| D

40/1

Rather in-and-out last season and reappearance effort on the AW lacked spark. However, much more like it when subsequently placed in handicaps at Musselburgh and Haydock, and he's in with an each-way shout here with no concerns with regard to trip/ground.

Form: 305-833

(7)

Get Shirty³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 99

16/1

Smart at best in France (listed winner) and much improved for current yard when seeing off dual subsequent winner Contact on return at Thirsk (1½m, soft). Struck again over the same trip at Hamilton (good to soft) last month and 4 lb rise tolerable, but forecast quicker ground here is a worry.

Form: 056-121

(8)

Platinumcard^t⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 99

28/1

Won four times on the Flat in 2021 for Keith Dalgleish and opened jumps account on debut for new yard in a handicap hurdle at Ayr in April. Could perhaps do with a little assistance from the assessor, but place possibilities here all the same.

Form: 142428-

(4)

Island Brave⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: H Main| OR: 98| C| D

33/1

Game display when accounting for Alright Sunshine and either others in the Old Borough Cup at Haydock in September. Not in the same form since, though, having struggled in Dubai earlier this year and well held back on these shores at Musselburgh in April.

Form: 5-08570

(17)

Bandinelli^b1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 98| BF| D

12/1

Winner of three of his four starts after being gelded last year and perfect start to this season when landing a 2m handicap at Kempton in March. Subsequent effort at Haydock was too bad to be true, so it's probably best not read too much into that and he's one to consider.

Form: 1121-10

(11)

Danehill Kodiac³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: J Tickle| OR: 97| C

66/1

Smart operator in his pomp for Richard Hannon earlier in career and proved that plenty of ability remains intact when sixth in the 16-runner handicap won by Juan de Montalban on return for new yard last month.

Form: 22522/6

Non-Runners

(16)

Benaud¹³

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: J P O'Brien J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cleveland (2/1), Juan De Montalban (4/1), Okita Soushi (11/2), Stowell (11/2), Bandinelli (12/1), Benaud (14/1), Get Shirty (16/1), Not So Sleepy (25/1), Pita Pinta (28/1), Platinumcard (28/1), Raymond Tusk (33/1), Island Brave (33/1), Alounak (33/1), Alright Sunshine (40/1), Quenelle D'or (40/1), Red Verdon (50/1), Danehill Kodiac (66/1)

The Gosdens saddled the winner of this last year and STOWELL could be another for the yard. He was a fine third in the C&D Queen's Vase at this meeting 12 months ago (sole previous attempt at this trip) and has shown enough in Group 3/listed company this year to suggest that this mark will be within reach now pitched into a handicap. Chester Cup winner Cleveland probably has more to offer and is greatly respected, while Juan de Montalban, Okita Soushi and Platinumcard are others to consider.