15:20 Ascot

Saturday 6 August 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap)

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 2m 35.88s

(3)

Angel Power^p1⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: R Varian| OR: 97

16/1

Useful mare who shaped as if retaining plenty of ability when third of 4 on return at listed level in April. Hasn't kicked on subsequently though. no impression when sixth of 9 in Newcastle Group 3 in June. Others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 27-3306

(4)

Charging Thunder^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Rene Piechulek| T: D O'Meara| OR: 97| D

9/1

4-y-o who is enjoying a productive campaign, making it 3 wins from 4 starts since cheekpieces went on at Newmarket (14f) 3 weeks ago. headed last ½f but leading again close home. May not have reached his limit yet.

Form: 221511

(11)

Onesmoothoperator⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Joanna Mason| T: B Ellison| OR: 95

12/1

Gained second career success at Southwell (11f) in December. Hit frame next 4 starts on AW and not disgraced despite finishing last of 6 in York listed event penultimate start. Below best in Northumberland Plate latest so bounce back called for now.

Form: 222360

(5)

Pride Of Priory¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: K Shoemark| T: W J Haggas| OR: 92| D

3/1

Two wins from 4 starts as a 3-y-o and, having finished well held first 2 starts on turf during the spring, he's resumed progress on AW recently, scoring at Kempton and doing well in circumstances to follow-up at Newcastle (12.5f) 2 weeks ago. Serious player in hat-trick bid.

Form: 11-0011

(10)

Pretty Sweet^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Collett| T: G Boughey| OR: 90| D

11/1

Not out of the first 3 during a busy second half of 2021 and give her running more often than not in defeat this term, fourth of 7 in face of stiff task at listed level at Newmarket (12f) 7 days ago. Return to handicaps rates more suitable.

Form: 1-30054

(2)

Danehill Kodiac²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: C P Lemaire| T: J Tickle| OR: 90| CD

40/1

Very lightly raced in recent seasons and, having shaped as if retaining plenty of ability on his belated return for new yard over C&D in May, he's been unable to match that level in 2 starts subsequently.

Form: 522/607

(8)

The Whipmaster¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: A Fresu| T: G & J Moore| OR: 90| BF

11/4

4-y-o who comes here at the top of his game, completing 4-timer at Windsor (11.5f) in June and losing little caste in defeat behind a smart sort over C&D 15 days ago. Only 1 lb higher now and expected to be in the mix again.

Form: 611112

(1)

State Of Bliss⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: L Dettori| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 89| CD

8/1

Capitalised on sliding mark to land 7-runner Ripon handicap (12f) in April, keeping on well and in command near line. Exploits have been mixed in 3 starts since, including at the Royal Meeting latest but wouldn't be first from this yard to bounce back.

Form: 581750

(9)

Southern Voyage²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: N Callan| T: A Watson| OR: 89| BF| CD

10/1

Useful handicapper who rattled off hat-trick at Thirsk (12f) last September, winning cosily. Never got competitive in Old Rowley Cup final start and ran to bad to be true when last of 8 on return at York (11.8f) 4 weeks ago. Needs to step up plenty on that.

Form: 41110-8

(12)

Celtic Art⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Takeshi Yokoyama| T: J Scott| OR: 89| D

12/1

Bright start for new yard on AW this winter landing pair of 12f Lingfield handicaps prior to good third at Wolverhampton (12.2f) in March. Feasible to think first start for 4 months was needed at Salisbury (14f) in June but his mark looks about right.

Form: 2-13136

Non-Runners

(6)

Faylaq¹⁴

Weight: 9-6| Age: 6

T: Ewan Whillans J: Reserve 1

(7)

Bad Company²

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: J R Boyle J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

The Whipmaster (11/4), Pride Of Priory (3/1), State Of Bliss (8/1), Charging Thunder (9/1), Southern Voyage (10/1), Pretty Sweet (11/1), Onesmoothoperator (12/1), Celtic Art (12/1), Bad Company (12/1), Angel Power (16/1), Faylaq (33/1), Danehill Kodiac (40/1)

PRIDE OF PRIORY has got firmly back on the up on all-weather in recent months, successful at Kempton in June and doing well to overcome trouble-in-running to reel in another progressive sort at Newcastle 2 weeks ago. He gets the vote to complete the hat-trick, with The Whipmaster and Charging Thunder, who also continue to thrive, next best.