16:50 Ascot

Friday 22 July 2022

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Slingsby Gin Handicap

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 2m 34.03s

(10)

Percy's Pride^v1²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 80| CD

16/1

C&D winner. In good form until failing to get home over 2m when fourth of 5 in handicap at Kempton 23 days ago. Much respected now back down in trip with visor replacing cheekpieces.

Form: 57-4734

(4)

Fairmac^b¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 79

12/1

It's now twelve runs since his last win in 2021 but he posted a creditable fourth of 8 in handicap at York (11.8f) 14 days ago. Blinkers replace cheekpieces and not ruled out.

Form: 037234

(1)

Saratoga Gold²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: R Kingscote| T: C Hills| OR: 78| D

33/1

Resumed with 14f win at Goodwood in April but he came in last of 6 in handicap at Sandown (14f) 21 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 33-1556

(11)

True Courage^v²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Dylan Hogan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 77| BF| D

18/1

In good nick until below-form third of 6 in handicap at Yarmouth (11.5f) 22 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 0-05423

(5)

Mr Big Stuff⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Spencer| OR: 81| BF

9/4

Yet to score but he comes here in good order, possibly unsuited by the track when seventh at Epsom (10f) 48 days ago. Not taken lightly eased 1 lb.

Form: 932-257

(6)

Al Azhar³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 77| D

7/4

Bagged his second win of 2022 at Newbury in June but unsuited by steady gallop when second of 3 at Salisbury (12f) 30 days ago. Weighted to go close.

Form: 72-1312

(2)

Monet's Sunrise⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 76

25/1

Ended a run of creditable efforts when only eleventh of 13 in handicap at Sandown (10f) 42 days ago. No forlorn hope now stepping up in trip though in his bid for a first success.

Form: 23-2530

(9)

Awesome Dancer⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 75

28/1

Has hinted at promise in his three runs, eighth of 11 in maiden at Sandown (10f) 41 days ago. Makes his handicap debut and no surprise to see him take a step forward up in trip.

Form: 758

(3)

Love Mystery¹⁰⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 73

12/1

Fair maiden who arrives on the back of good second of 5 in handicap at Wolverhampton (12.2f). Off 104 days and needs to hit the ground running on his turf debut.

Form: 2-6332

(7)

Tidal Storm³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 71

11/1

Gelded and off 7 months before posting creditable sixth of 8 in handicap at Newmarket (10f) 35 days ago. Not dismissed off a 2 lb lower mark with this longer trip also a plus.

Form: 645-6

(8)

Buxted Reel²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Ian Williams| OR: 68

9/1

Still to register a victory and he came in below-form fifth of 6 in handicap at Doncaster (14.5f) four weeks ago. Others are preferred.

Form: 4-95225

Forecasts

Al Azhar (7/4), Mr Big Stuff (9/4), Buxted Reel (9/1), Tidal Storm (11/1), Fairmac (12/1), Love Mystery (12/1), Percy's Pride (16/1), True Courage (18/1), Monet's Sunrise (25/1), Awesome Dancer (28/1), Saratoga Gold (33/1)

Lots of these are in the mix but AL AZHAR is worth another chance to confirm himself well handicapped after not being seen to best effect when runner-up in a falsely-run Salisbury handicap last time. Mr Big Stuff and Percy's Pride head the list of dangers and can chase home Marcus Tregoning's 3-y-o in that order.