17:20 Ascot

Friday 12 May 2023

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

Peroni Nastro Azzurro 'Serve With Style' Handicap (Str)

Off time: 17:22 | Winning time: 1m 46.33s

(7)

Bussento²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 82

11/2

Best effort when runner-up in 15-runner novice event at Newbury on final juvenile outing. Bit below that level this term, fading only late having raced up with the pace when mid-field on handicap debut at Newmarket (8f, good to soft) last month.

Form: 432-37

(2)

Prince of Zenda^v1¹⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: H Palmer| OR: 81| BF

3/1

Continued race-by-race progression when runner-up at Kempton (8f) back in November, proving vulnerable only late on having been given a positive ride upped in trip. Visor applied for handicap bow and could have a say having been gelded in the interim.

Form: 332-

(1)

Docklands²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Hayley Turner| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 80

1/1

Debut race last summer worked out well and he completed a simple task in ready fashion on his second start back in maiden at Kempton (7f) 23 days ago. Expected to make his mark in handicaps for a bang in-form yard.

Form: 2-21

(8)

Land Of Summer²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 78

22/1

Cheap purchase who made a winning debut at Brighton in April last year and reached the frame 3 times subsequently in the season. However, ended 2022 on a low and fared no better after 7 months off at Newmarket just over 3 weeks ago. Others preferred.

Form: 00430-0

(5)

Ludo's Landing¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: K Stott| T: C Johnston| OR: 77

18/1

More exposed than most of these after a 9-race juvenile campaign but ran creditably after 6 months off when third at Beverley (7.4f, soft) 11 days ago. Solid each-way claims.

Form: 13844-3

(4)

Classic Speed²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: C G Cox| OR: 75

33/1

Thrice-raced maiden who was well held after 7 months off at Leicester (7f, heavy) 4 weeks ago. Makes handicap debut.

Form: 68-8

(3)

Stage Show²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: K Shoemark| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 74

8/1

Took a big step forward from debut when sixth in Doncaster maiden in October and ran well after 6 months off when fourth on all-weather debut at Kempton (7f) last month. May do better still now upped in trip switched to handicaps.

Form: 06-4

Non-Runners

(6)

Signcastle City¹³

Weight: 9-10| Age: 3

T: R Hannon J: S M Levey

Forecasts

Docklands (1/1), Prince of Zenda (3/1), Bussento (11/2), Stage Show (8/1), Signcastle City (10/1), Ludo's Landing (18/1), Land Of Summer (22/1), Classic Speed (33/1)

A few in with a squeak but DOCKLANDS completed a simple task in ready fashion to open his account at Kempton just over 3 weeks ago and, with improvement on the cards now handicapping, Harry Eustace's charge is fancied to follow up. Signcastle City shaped as if he would come on for the run at Haydock recently so he may emerge as the main danger, with the experienced Ludo's Landing rounding off the shortlist.