14:25 Ascot

Friday 12 May 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 47.72s

(3)

Haliphon²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Ben Sanderson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91

16/1

Useful on the Flat, recording back-to-back handicap wins at York and Chester last summer. Below that level when second of 5 on hurdling debut at Fakenham in October and ran no sort of race back on the Flat at Thirsk last month. Back up in trip with plenty to prove.

Form: 11045-0

(8)

Ehteyat^p1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 88

10/1

Much improved on the back of a gelding operation, winning in style on handicap debut at Southwell (14.1f) in January. Defied a penalty at the second attempt there a week later before posting an excellent second at Lingfield. Disappointing last time but worth another chance in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 0-15120

(6)

Blazeon Five⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Christian Howarth⁽³⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 83| D

6/1

Likeable sort who completed a hat-trick on the all-weather in late 2022. Has remained in good form since but it remains to be seen if she's as effective on turf.

Form: 11-2225

(7)

Beny Nahar Road²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Buckley| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 80WS

10/3

Fairly useful maiden for Richard Hughes, runner-up on 3 of his 5 starts. Acquired for 72,000 gns and interesting to see how he fares in the betting now tackling a different trip for new stable after 6 months off. Also had breathing op since last seen.

Form: 2/2235-

(1)

Cogital^h¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Jordan Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 79| D

9/1

Stepped up on reappearance when second of 7 in handicap at Doncaster (16.5f, heavy) 14 days ago, albeit no match for winner. Should remain competitive.

Form: 3145-72

(2)

Coquelicot^b,t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 79| BF| C| D

6/5

Fairly useful winner at up to 3m over hurdles and showed much improved form in this sphere when forging clear in a 2m Nottingham (heavy) last month. Ran a bit flat when turned over under a penalty at Pontefract 6 days later but still looks on a fair mark and must enter calculations.

Form: 5/4-412

(9)

Monsieur Lambrays^p²¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 78| D

40/1

Temperamental sort who was well held tackling softer ground than previously in 16.2f handicap at York (good to soft) on final outing for Richard Fahey in October. Now 6 lb below last winning mark but needs to hit the ground running for new yard in a change of headgear.

Form: D03080-

(5)

Diamand De Vindecy⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Morgan Cole⁽⁵⁾| T: R Bevis| OR: 74

14/1

Fair performer on the Flat in France, won 4 times in 2022. Made the frame in a couple of maiden hurdles for new yard earlier this year but more required back in this code.

Form: 616341-

Non-Runners

(4)

Royaume Uni²³

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: Anna Gibson

Forecasts

Coquelicot (6/5), Beny Nahar Road (10/3), Blazeon Five (6/1), Royaume Uni (8/1), Cogital (9/1), Ehteyat (10/1), Diamand De Vindecy (14/1), Haliphon (16/1), Monsieur Lambrays (40/1)

EHTEYAT disappointed last time but he'd shown notable improvement prior to that following a gelding operation and, with the return to turf unlikely to pose a problem, he's worth another chance in first-time cheekpieces. Royaume Uni ought to be up to doing some damage from his current mark in this sphere so is second choice, while Coquelicot and Beny Nahar Road are two other potential threats.