15:45 Ascot

Friday 30 September 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Noel Murless Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:46 | Winning time: 3m 5.76s

(1)

Lionel⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J P Spencer| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 102

6/1

Off the mark in 11f Goodwood listed race (good to soft) in May. Something can't have been right when a tailed-off last of 8 in the Irish Derby the following month (final start for David Menuisier). Interesting now starting for a top new stable, particularly if betting vibes strong.

Form: 2-318

(7)

Dillian³⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 103

22/1

Pontefract novice winner last autumn who rounded off his 2-y-o campaign by finishing 3¾ lengths sixth of 9 to El Bodegon in Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. This a belated return but the step up to 1¾m is certainly bred to suit him.

Form: 416-

(6)

El Habeeb¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: K P De Foy| OR: 108

11/1

AW novice winner who seemed to run to a smart level when 4¼ lengths sixth of 9 to Eldar Eldarov in St Leger (150/1) at Doncaster 19 days but he never posed any threat and there's got to be a chance it flatters him.

Form: 50216

(8)

Giavellotto^h¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: N Callan| T: M Botti| OR: 112| D

11/4

Progressive sort who ran a blinder pitched into Group 1 company in the St Leger at Doncaster 19 days ago, fourth past the post but promoted to third after suffering interference. Could be even more to come. Major player.

Form: 143213

(2)

Secret State⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 111| CWS

11/10

Smart efforts when defying big weights in ultra-competitive handicaps at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. Advanced his form again when 2¾ lengths second to Deauville Legend in Great Voltigeur at York last month. Has since undergone wind surgery. Likely to stay 1¾m. Leading claims.

Form: 211112

(4)

Thanks Monica^b²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 94

14/1

Useful filly. Hasn't looked back since fitted with blinkers, winning handicaps at Salisbury and Leicester last month. Good 4 lengths third of 15 to Yaxeni in listed race at Galway 24 days ago. More will be needed here, though.

Form: 272113

(3)

Typewriter⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 94

40/1

Twice a winner at Nottingham at 2 yrs. Even better form in defeat this year but there's nothing in her record to suggest she'll be up to the task in what looks a strong race of its type.

Form: 11-4383

Non-Runners

(5)

Perfect Alibi³⁴

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: W J Haggas J: Tom Marquand

Forecasts

Secret State (11/10), Giavellotto (11/4), Lionel (6/1), El Habeeb (11/1), Perfect Alibi (12/1), Thanks Monica (14/1), Dillian (22/1), Typewriter (40/1)

A good listed race. SECRET STATE, who has had wind surgery since finishing second in the Great Voltigeur, leaves the impression this trip should be within range and is narrowly preferred to St Leger third Giavellotto. Lionel has to give weight away but he could easily have more to offer for his new stable and may prove best of the remainder.