17:25 Ascot

Friday 2 September 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:25

Harrogate Spring Water Handicap

Off time: 17:28 | Winning time: 1m 28.71s

(4)

Love De Vega²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: L Dettori| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 86| BF| D

9/4

Improved form to score on handicap debut at Newmarket after a long absence but he beat only one there 27 days ago. Can bounce back.

Form: 221-15

(1)

Midnight Moll³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 84| D

12/1

Won 7f minor event at Newmarket on her debut before posting good fifth over 1m there 35 days ago. May do better still and in the mix on handicap debut.

Form: 14

(7)

Twelfth Knight^p²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Mr Taylor Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 83

10/1

Dual 6f winner who arrives on back of good fourth in 6f handicap here 27 days ago. Considered.

Form: 121034

(10)

Majestic Fighter²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 80| BF

3/1

Back on song when second of 5 in handicap at Sandown (7f) 29 days ago, just failing. One for the shortlist off the same mark.

Form: 15-6232

(5)

Nasim⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 79

25/1

Resumed with 1m win at Southwell in March and continued in good nick on turf for Andrew Balding. Bought for 32 000 gns and much respected for his new yard after a break.

Form: 19-1046

(6)

Secret Strength^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 78

10/1

It's now 15 runs since his last win in 2021 but he wasn't seen to best effect when third of 10 in handicap at Newbury (7f) 14 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Has to be taken seriously eased 1 lb now.

Form: 286423

(3)

Dark Swansong^b¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: C G Cox| OR: 78| D

12/1

Arrives in good form and run best forgiven when ninth of 10 in handicap at Newbury (7f) 14 days ago (suffered a poor run). In the mix.

Form: 692629

(9)

Al Ameen^p,t²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Planas⁽⁷⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 76| BF

8/1

Had been running well without winning until only fourth of 5 (sported first-time tongue strap) in handicap at Yarmouth (7f) 23 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 307254

(8)

King Of War^t¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Tyler Heard⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 71| D

18/1

Bagged his second win of 2022 in 7f handicap at Brighton but he turned in a rare poor effort at Chepstow 11 days ago. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 212414

(2)

Ideal Guest^v²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: J F Egan| T: G G Margarson| OR: 70| D

11/1

Dual 7f scorer at Brighton this summer who posted another good effort when second of 11 in handicap at Lingfield (7f, AW) 22 days ago. Holds solid claims.

Form: 311252

Forecasts

Love De Vega (9/4), Majestic Fighter (3/1), Al Ameen (8/1), Secret Strength (10/1), Twelfth Knight (10/1), Ideal Guest (11/1), Dark Swansong (12/1), Midnight Moll (12/1), King Of War (18/1), Nasim (25/1)

A wide-open handicap in which marginal preference is for SECRET STRENGTH who didn't enjoy the rub of the green when third at Newbury recently and can capitalise on a handy mark now to end his losing run. Midnight Moll is much less exposed and feared most going into handicaps, although Dark Swansong, Ideal Guest and Majestic Fighter need shortlisting too.