16:55 Ascot

Friday 30 September 2022

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

Smart Signage Display Solutions Handicap Classified Stakes (Str)

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 1m 42.97s

(12)

Ataser¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Ray Dawson| T: T Kent| OR: 85

40/1

Back on scoreboard at Newmarket (7f) in June but latest effort at Doncaster earlier this month needs leaving well behind if he's to feature.

Form: 5-60150

(10)

Bullace¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 89| D

7/1

Largely acquitted himself well in defeat this term, latest when fourth of 16 in handicap at Doncaster (8f, good to soft) earlier this month. May well make his presence felt.

Form: 682434

(4)

Fantasy Believer²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: E Walker| OR: 88| CD

9/1

Back to winning ways for new yard this summer, landing back-to-back handicaps at Newbury and over C&D. Fared best of those held up when fifth at Kempton earlier this month (deserving a bit of extra credit) but will need to raise his game further to land this.

Form: 771195

(3)

Raising Sand^p¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: J A Osborne| OR: 87| CD

14/1

Won his first race for over 3 years when scoring at Newcastle just over a fortnight ago, the return to more positive tactics seemingly the catalyst. In the mix with a repeat back at this venue.

Form: 06-6301

(5)

Rhythm N Rock¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: J Butler| OR: 90| D

13/2

Kempton 1m novice winner on reappearance back in March and wasted no time getting back on track after 4 months off when third on handicap debut at Yarmouth recently. Remains unexposed and looks one to keep on the right side of.

Form: 31-103

(11)

Al Marmar²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 90| BF| CD

8/1

Useful sort who showed improved form having been gelded to double career tally in C&D handicap in July, overcoming a pace bias in the process. Similar form in defeat all 3 starts since, finding only a resurgent rival too strong over C&D 4 weeks ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 401252

(6)

Baltimore Boy³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 90| BF

22/1

Left debut effort well behind to get off the mark on at Newcastle and backed that up when beaten only by a nice prospect at Kempton (8f) next time. However he proved to be a disappointment switched to a handicap 5 weeks ago and must bounce back on turf debut.

Form: 3120

(2)

City Runner^b¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: B J Meehan| OR: 87| D

12/1

Doubled his tally for the year at Sandown in July and proved better than ever in defeat when runner-up at Newcastle (10.2f) just over a fortnight ago. Back down in trip but others make more appeal today.

Form: 280132

(7)

Persian Royal²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 90| D

11/2

Improving in leaps and bounds, completing a 4-timer in tenacious fashion ridden from the front for a change at Salisbury earlier this month. Has to be respected in his current mood so is high on the shortlist.

Form: 641111

(1)

Spirit Of Nguru²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 90

12/1

Invincible Spirit gelding who was 2-3 in 7f novice events as a 2-y-o and improved further when second on return/handicap debut at Haydock (7f) in July. Respectable fourth in Goodwood handicap (7f) later that month but ran poorly after 6 weeks off at Doncaster recently.

Form: 411-248

(8)

Yantarni^p1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 89| BF| D

5/2

Placed on first three runs in novices last year and took a big step forward after 9 months off/gelded to score on handicap debut at Newmarket last month. Turned over at short odds in his follow up bid on Rowley course and cheekpieces now applied to help him apply himself better.

Form: 232-12

Non-Runners

(9)

Larado³²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: M Appleby J: Theodore Ladd

Forecasts

Yantarni (5/2), Persian Royal (11/2), Rhythm N Rock (13/2), Bullace (7/1), Al Marmar (8/1), Fantasy Believer (9/1), City Runner (12/1), Spirit Of Nguru (12/1), Raising Sand (14/1), Larado (14/1), Baltimore Boy (22/1), Ataser (40/1)

This can go the way of YANTARNI, who wasted what had looked a good opportunity to remain unbeaten in handicaps last week but, with cheekpieces now applied (has not looked entirely straightforward), Charlie Appleby's charge is fancied to resume winning ways. Persian Royal arrives chasing an impressive 5-timer so he's feared most, ahead of Rhythm N Rock, who has few miles on the clock and may well be capable of better.