13:30 Ascot

Saturday 13 May 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1015:4516:2016:55

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap

Off time: 13:31 | Winning time: 2m 40.43s

(3)

Sir Rumi¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: K Stott| T: R Hannon| OR: 94| D

16/5

Resumed winning ways in 10-runner handicap at Epsom (12f, heavy) 12 days ago. Much respected up 4 lb.

Form: 152-201

(4)

Rhythmic Intent¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: D Tudhope| T: S C Williams| OR: 93| D

16/1

Useful sort who bagged Mallard Handicap at Doncaster in September 2021. Lightly raced since and he caught the eye after a year off when considerately-handled sixth in 1m2f Epsom handicap 18 days ago. One to consider.

Form: 150/03-6

(7)

Nathanael Greene¹⁸⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 90

4/1

On the up last season (a dual winner) until coming in only 17th in November Handicap at Doncaster final start. Remains with better to come for his in-form yard.

Form: 142140-

(8)

Green Team⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 90

22/1

Useful performer at best but comfortably held all 4 starts in Meydan this winter for his current yard. Needs a big step forward.

Form: 76-9040

(6)

High Fibre³⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Saffie Osborne| T: H Fry| OR: 89

10/3

Improving handicapper when with Ralph Beckett but not seen out after posting an excellent second at Newmarket (1m2f) 13 months ago. This longer trip should suit so he's not without interest starting out for a new yard.

Form: 76361/2-

(10)

Savvy Knight³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: S Woods| OR: 88| D

9/2

Three-time winner last year who shaped well on his return when fourth of 13 in handicap at Kempton (11f) 33 days ago. Can go very well off an unchanged mark.

Form: 43068-4

(9)

Sheer Rocks²¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 87

11/1

Scored at Chester (1m2f) last July and continued in good form atter, signing off with a solid ninth of 16 at Newmarket (1m4f) in October. Much respected on his seasonal return.

Form: 314399-

(5)

Ravens Ark²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Hart| T: H Morrison| OR: 80| D

17/2

Made a winning return at Lingfield (1m5f) in 2022 and he remained in good nick until coming in last at Wolverhampton (14f) in October. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 203349-

Non-Runners

(1)

Onesmoothoperator³⁵

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: B Ellison J: Ben Robinson

(2)

Saratoga Gold²¹⁶

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: C Hills J: K Shoemark

Forecasts

Sir Rumi (16/5), High Fibre (10/3), Nathanael Greene (4/1), Savvy Knight (9/2), Saratoga Gold (8/1), Ravens Ark (17/2), Sheer Rocks (11/1), Rhythmic Intent (16/1), Onesmoothoperator (16/1), Green Team (22/1)

HIGH FIBRE looked a handicapper to follow when last seen out for Ralph Beckett and is worth siding with to defy an absence and make a winning start for Harry Fry. Nathanael Greene is another with better days ahead of him and feared most on his return ahead of the handily-weighted Savvy Knight. Rhythmic Intent and Sheer Rocks complete the shortlist in a fascinating handicap.