15:45 Ascot

Saturday 3 September 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Lavazza Stakes (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 2m 37.37s

(10)

Wild Crusade^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: David Probert| T: C Appleby| OR: 100| CD

14/1

Took back-to-back AW events earlier this year and having caught the eye when runner-up at York, he duly stepped forward again to defeat stablemate Warren Point (boosted form next time) over C&D in July. Failed to give his running in the Melrose.

Form: 2-11210

(3)

Blue Trail³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: N Callan| T: C Appleby| OR: 99

11/1

Teofilo colt who landed back-to-back AW novice events earlier this year and back on the up following a luckless showing at the Royal Meeting when second of 13 at Goodwood last month. Up 7 lb but could easily have more to offer at this trip.

Form: 114382

(9)

First Ruler^p⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: C Appleby| OR: 96| C

7/2

Easily off the mark at the second attempt in Doncaster novice in June and lot to like about the way he got the job done on handicap debut over 10f here in July. In top hands and pedigree suggests this trip will really suit. Major player.

Form: 3121

(1)

Mandobi^t1³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 93| D

8/1

Won a couple of novice races in the North in good style to start his campaign and not seen to best effect both starts since in handicaps. Tongue tie fitted and this will reveal more.

Form: 2-1107

(4)

Night Of Luxury²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 92

10/1

Has clicked since switched to handicaps, cranking it up another notch for third win in 6-runner contest at Newmarket a month ago. Up 8 lb in a deeper race but new trip offers hope for further improvement.

Form: 681411

(5)

Frantastic^p1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 92

9/1

Brother to Cracksman who is low mileage and still looked rough around the edges when doubling career tally in 7-runner handicap at Newbury a fortnight ago. Extra emphasis on stamina will suit and further progress assured. Cheekpieces on.

Form: 31-631

(6)

Al Nafir¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: C Appleby| OR: 92

15/2

Brother to top-class winner up to 1½m Ghaiyyath who confirmed debut promise to open account in a Kempton novice (1m) in November. Improved again conceding upwards of 10 lb all round when second on return at Newmarket (10f) and shaped better than the result in the Melrose.

Form: 21-25

(8)

Chairman⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: M Meade| OR: 92| D

28/1

Promising son of Almanzor who landed a small-field Salisbury maiden (12f) in May and followed up at Bath next time. Back on the up when second at Chester and now tackles a new distance.

Form: 221162

(7)

La Yakel³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: A J Farragher⁽⁵⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 87

10/3

Continued race-by-race progress when landing the odds in novice company at Southwell in July. This is a different assignment but he can leave bare form behind now handicapping.

Form: 331

(11)

Double Cherry⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: T Ward| OR: 87| BF| D

11/1

Confirmed opening mark a lenient one when readily landing a Goodwood handicap (12f) in June. Hit with a 9 lb rise for that and could only finish sixth of 14 at Haydock (1¾m) since and he'll need to pull out more.

Form: 5-6316

(2)

Sandstorm^b¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 83

40/1

Friendless in the market but made a winning British debut at Chelmsford 3 weeks ago. Up 5 lb in a much deeper race.

Form: 321561

Forecasts

La Yakel (10/3), First Ruler (7/2), Al Nafir (15/2), Mandobi (8/1), Frantastic (9/1), Night Of Luxury (10/1), Double Cherry (11/1), Blue Trail (11/1), Wild Crusade (14/1), Chairman (28/1), Sandstorm (40/1)

A 3-y-o handicap full of potential, with FIRST RULER, a course winner in July, just about the most persuasive option with this trip sure to suit on breeding. Frantastic, a brother to Cracksman, is promising in his own right and cheekpieces may also help him. La Yakel completes the shortlist.