15:40 Royal Ascot

Friday 17 June 2022

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

Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 2m 28.72s

(13)

Chichester^p,t⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: R Kingscote| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 103

66/1

Useful sort who was a good third ti Living Legend in a listed event at Kempton on return and wasn't discredited in the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket a couple of months ago. Others have more in hand.

Form: 3210-36

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Mashhoor²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 99

7/1

Shaped well on first run since leaving Sir Michael Stoute when creditable fourth of 17 in handicap at Cork and confirmed that encouragement when landing a 19-runner event at the Curragh last time. Big player.

Form: 1234-41

(19)

Kenzai Warrior¹⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: R A Teal| OR: 99

80/1

Good effort when second of 3 in a minor event at Wolverhampton 5 months ago. He doesn't have much in hand, though, and he's hard to catch right as a rule.

Form: 8/P105-2

(6)

Cap Francais¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: Ian Williams| OR: 98

66/1

Freshened up by a break when landing 9-runner handicap at Newmarket in April and backed it up with a cracking effort in second at Chester. Latest effort at Epsom was underwhelming, though.

Form: 404-120

(3)

Trawlerman⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 98| D

4/1

Good looker who is lightly raced for his age and returned with a career-best to land an 8-runner event at Chelmsford a couple of months ago, doing well in the circumstances. That form is solid and a big effort is on the cards.

Form: 3/316-1

(15)

Kelly's Dino^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 97| CD

100/1

One-time smart performer who, back from 2 years off the track, seemed badly in need of the run at Haydock recently. Seems to retain some ability, but this is a big ask.

Form: 10828/0

(7)

Just Fine³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 97

4/1

Rangy gelding who has been handled patiently by his expert trainer and shaped well when a staying-on third at York last month. Scope to do better still, and well-run race will suit him down to the ground. Leading claims.

Form: 80142-3

(5)

Moktasaab¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 97| BF

14/1

Has thrived since joining this stable and made it two from two for the season with another comfortable success at Goodwood in April. Didn't get a clear run when sixth at Epsom last time, so very much remains of interest.

Form: 142-116

(2)

Stay Well¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: H Morrison| OR: 97| D

16/1

Straightforward sort who has posted a couple of excellent in second this season, again travelling smoothly at Redcar last time. Should be well positioned, so likely to be in the shake-up.

Form: 1971-22

(4)

Brilliant Light³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 96| D

20/1

Useful performer who was back to his best when landing an 8-runner handicap at Ripon a month ago. This is clearly much tougher, though.

Form: 004-471

(8)

Longbourn^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: J M Sheridan⁽³⁾| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 96

66/1

Likeable front runner who returned with a cracking effort when second over 1m at Naas a month ago. Should give his all back up in trip, but he's likely to face pressure for the lead.

Form: 31203-2

(16)

Contact²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 96| D

15/2

Progressive 4-y-o who has scored the last twice, having plenty in hand at Haydock in May. Strong-travelling style will lend itself to a race like this, so he's very much one to consider.

Form: 544-211

(12)

Gold Maze⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 95

80/1

Useful performer in Ireland a couple of seasons back, but struggled in two starts for Roger Varian last year. Step back in right direction when fifth behind Juan de Montalban on return/debut for new yard over C&D and he's one to keep an eye on.

Form: 143/00-5

(17)

Sir Rumi⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 93

18/1

Good second in conditions event at Doncaster on reappearance and similar form back in handicap company since. Should give his running again, but others look better treated.

Form: 624-244

(9)

Cemhaan^t⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 92| D

10/1

Better than ever this term, winning both starts and having a bit to spare at Newmarket 47 days ago. Presumably primed for this, so big run can't be ruled out.

Form: 7219-11

(18)

Candleford²¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91| D

11/2

Progressive throughout last year and looked streets ahead of the handicapper when scoring in a 6-runner handicap at Kempton 7 months ago. That form is strong (runner-up won here earlier in the week) and he should be ready to go.

Form: 51D331-

(14)

State Of Bliss¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 91| CD

40/1

Found some improvement and capitalised on drop in weights to score at Ripon (12f) in April but hasn't fired since. Unlikely to feature.

Form: 0-58175

(10)

Ajero^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: David Egan| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 89

17/2

Useful hurdles winner who has started positively on the Flat, runner-up on each of his 3 outings and finishing with running left at Chepstow 3 weeks ago. Interesting handicap debutant.

Form: 222

Non-Runners

(11)

Ever Present²⁷⁹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 6

T: Mrs J Harrington J: Shane Foley

Forecasts

Just Fine (4/1), Trawlerman (4/1), Candleford (11/2), Mashhoor (7/1), Contact (15/2), Ajero (17/2), Cemhaan (10/1), Ever Present (12/1), Moktasaab (14/1), Stay Well (16/1), Sir Rumi (18/1), Brilliant Light (20/1), State Of Bliss (40/1), Longbourn (66/1), Chichester (66/1), Cap Francais (66/1), Gold Maze (80/1), Kenzai Warrior (80/1), Kelly's Dino (100/1)

CANDLEFORD made light work of Coltrane when scoring at Kempton 7 months ago and, despite being off the track since, he's worth a chance to defy a 6 lb rise. Just Fine is a big danger on the back of a highly encouraging return, while the hat-trick seeking Contact warrants plenty of respect along with several others in a typically hot renewal.