16:45 Ascot

Saturday 1 October 2022

All13:5114:2515:0015:3616:1016:45

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 1m 3.39s

(9)

Equality⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C Hills| OR: 104| D

9/2

Unlucky when just missing out at Windsor on penultimate start and made amends in no uncertain fashion at Haydock (5f) last weekend. Hit with a 10 lb rise but another bold show likely all the same.

Form: 330021

(10)

King Of Stars^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: M Appleby| OR: 101| D

12/1

Yet to get his head in front this year but has posted several solid efforts in defeat, not least when just touched off in a big-field York handicap in August. Yard saddled the winner of this last year and should make his presence felt.

Form: 252345

(4)

Magical Spirit⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: K A Ryan| OR: 100| DWS

16/1

Improved towards the end of last season, bagging a 6f Doncaster handicap in good style prior to going close in listed company over the same C&D. Has failed to beat a rival home in 2 starts this year but not discounted back from a break here following a wind op.

Form: 4012-50

(3)

Whenthedealinsdone^p²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Frederick Larson⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 100| BF| CD

7/2

Right back to form when easily accounting for 9 rivals in a C&D handicap last month. Perhaps it was a case of the race coming too soon rather than this 10 lb higher mark anchoring him when down the field at Doncaster 8 days later.

Form: 070210

(11)

Tardis¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: M L W Bell| OR: 94| D

22/1

Followed Bath maiden success with a last-gasp victory in a listed race at Newbury (5f) last summer. Closed 2-y-o campaign off with a decent effort in Group 3 company but she was well held on her belated reappearance at York recently and appears to be on a tough mark for this handicap bow.

Form: 31195-0

(7)

Significantly²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 94| CD

17/2

Winner of back-to-back C&D handicaps last summer and while it was a struggle initially this season, there were more encouraging signs in the Portland at Doncaster (5.6f) 20 days ago. Down another 2 lb and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 45-7707

(8)

Tarhib⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: W J Haggas| OR: 88

10/3

Back on the up on second start following a wind op when scoring at Yarmouth (6f) last month. Didn't do a great deal wrong when third at Newmarket subsequently and this drop to the minimum trip looks a potentially good move.

Form: 18-0213

(6)

Dream Composer¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Mollie Phillips⁽³⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 87| D

9/2

Successful at Pontefract (5f) and Goodwood (6f) earlier this year, and found just one too good in a 12-runner handicap at the latter course last time. Remains on a feasible mark but will probably find one or two too good.

Form: 124042

(2)

Faustus¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁵⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 83| D

22/1

Hit the target over 5f at Newcastle in March and has acquitted himself well over the same C&D on his last 2 starts. However, the pattern that has started to emerge is one that points to this 4-y-o being more of a force on the AW than turf.

Form: 0-10533

Non-Runners

(5)

Get It²⁸

Weight: 8-13| Age: 4

T: C G Cox J: Rossa Ryan

(1)

Spring Bloom³⁰

Weight: 8-6| Age: 5

T: R Eddery J: Harry Davies

Forecasts

Tarhib (10/3), Whenthedealinsdone (7/2), Dream Composer (9/2), Equality (9/2), Significantly (17/2), King Of Stars (12/1), Get It (12/1), Magical Spirit (16/1), Spring Bloom (16/1), Faustus (22/1), Tardis (22/1)

SIGNIFICANTLY is now 2 lb lower than for the second of his two C&D wins last summer and, having shaped as though working his way back to form in the Portland at Doncaster, this 4-y-o could be the one to side with. Equality looks a big threat on the back of his impressive display at Haydock, for all that a 10 lb rise demands more. Tarhib may well benefit from the drop to 5f and she also enters calculations.