16:20 Ascot

Friday 30 September 2022

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

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 1m 15.0s

(7)

Silent Speech²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 102| D

9/2

Opened account at Wolverhampton in November and much better form when following up in novice company at Meydan 2 months later (6f). Matched that level over same C&D a month later and though off since, he couldn't be in better hands. Gelded since and mark does ask for more.

Form: 21-12

(1)

Thunder Legend^b,t³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| D

11/2

Maiden winner for Hugo Palmer at 2 and gained reward for consistency when an easy winner of 4-runner handicap in first-time blinkers at Newmarket a month ago. Up 8 lb in a deeper race but that effort is backed up by the clock.

Form: 332321

(3)

Aleezdancer¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: N Callan| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| D

8/1

Benefited from the drop in trip when landing 6f Ripon handicap in August before backing it up with good third to Lucky Man at York 13 days ago. Brushed aside in the Ayr Gold Cup a fortnight ago but no surprise were he to get back on track here.

Form: 376130

(4)

Honky Tonk Man¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 90| BF

10/1

Won twice on the AW around this time last year and going the right way in handicaps, keeping on for second of 14 in 6f contest at Newcastle a fortnight ago. Nudged up 2 lb and has to prove he's as effective on turf.

Form: 1-75342

(5)

Edward Cornelius^h¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 89

16/1

Well prepared to make a winning reappearance at Thirsk in April. Series of solid efforts in defeat since and while he was disappointing in the Silver Cup, he did contest a strong pace.

Form: 772330

(8)

Lethal Nymph²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Fahy| T: C G Cox| OR: 89| CD

11/4

Winner of his first two starts in novice company during the spring and looked more professional than has been the case when successful over C&D a month ago. That was a bunched finish but a 3 lb rise still looks perfectly fair.

Form: 133471

(6)

Romantic Time¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: W Stone| OR: 88| D

11/1

Three-time winner at 2 yrs, including in 6f Group 3. Mixed bag in handicaps so far this campaign, but definitely one of her better efforts when third at Yarmouth 17 days ago.

Form: 402483

(2)

Aphelios^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Ray Dawson| T: M Appleby| OR: 83| D

4/1

Could be another shrewd purchase by connections, winning at Carlisle (6f) in August and showing even better form when runner-up twice since from revised mark. Likely to give it another very good shot.

Form: 122122

Forecasts

Lethal Nymph (11/4), Aphelios (4/1), Silent Speech (9/2), Thunder Legend (11/2), Aleezdancer (8/1), Honky Tonk Man (10/1), Romantic Time (11/1), Edward Cornelius (16/1)

This has a very open feel to it with LETHAL NYMPH just about the most persuasive option having displayed a more professional attitude when landing a C&D handicap a month ago. Aphelios is likely to give it another very good go, with Silent Speech something of an unknown quantity for top connections on the back of a gelding operation.